Bolivia Mayor Threatens Dismissal Over Strike, Claims 99% Attendance

Municipal authorities in Bolivia have asserted control over the health system, deploying 200 staff to monitor attendance during a 72-hour strike. The effort, led by Mayor Carlos Manuel Saavedra, aimed to ensure services continued and to identify absent workers.

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That is good news, it means the municipal health system functioned normally at 99%. People had access to their first and second-level system. I celebrate that the staff worked.

Out of more than 800 health workers across first and second-level facilities, only 11 failed to report for duty. Mayor Saavedra announced that these 11 individuals would be dismissed as previously threatened. He praised the overwhelming majority of staff for their presence, stating that the municipal health system operated at 99% capacity and that citizens had access to services.

Saavedra characterized the strike as "totally unjustified," asserting that the municipality had met its obligations and owed no outstanding payments. He emphasized that those who did not attend work would be replaced by individuals willing to serve the health sector. The municipal health secretary, José Carlos Gutiérrez, confirmed that surprise checks would continue and that public calls would be issued to replace absent employees.

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The 11 people who did not attend work will be dismissed, as announced on Wednesday. We will give an opportunity to other people who want to commit to health.

The operation involved municipal officials, council members, and human resources personnel inspecting health centers and hospitals. The president of the Municipal Council, Luisa Nayar, was reportedly involved in an incident with striking workers at the Villa Primero de Mayo hospital. The strike was called by the Federation of Health Workers.

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This strike is totally unjustified. We have complied, nothing is owed. A team is deployed throughout the city, more than 150 people are surveying. Unfortunately, staff who did not attend work will be dismissed.