Guatemalan health workers demand new salary hike and permanent jobs

Health workers across Guatemala are intensifying their demands for a significant salary increase and the regularization of contract positions. For the past month, members of the National Union of Health Workers of Guatemala (SNTSG) have organized demonstrations in various departments, urging the Ministry of Health to approve a new wage hike. Luis Alpírez, a leader of the SNTSG, stated that the union is requesting a Q4,000 raise for all employees, a proposal first submitted to health authorities in September 2024 and revisited in a June 8 meeting with Minister Joaquín Barnoya.

Alpírez noted that the Q4,000 ceiling is negotiable but must align with the cost of basic necessities. While the Ministry of Health had pledged to present a counter-proposal, the union has yet to receive it. The SNTSG also aims to meet with President Bernardo Arévalo to present their full list of demands. This push comes after an announcement in May 2025 by Minister Barnoya regarding a Q1,200 salary increase for permanent staff and a Q2,000 incentive for contract workers, retroactive to January 2025, as mandated by the 2025 State Budget Law. However, the union found this insufficient, considering it a "bonus" rather than a base salary adjustment.

Health sector employees feel undervalued, especially after their critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic and their current active participation in the measles vaccination campaign, often working weekends without improved compensation. They point to salary increases received by workers in the Legislative Branch, the Judiciary, and the Ministry of Education as evidence of disparity. Beyond salary, the SNTSG is advocating for the conversion of temporary contract positions to permanent roles, along with promotions and career advancement opportunities. They stress the need for a transparent and equitable process, avoiding favoritism to prevent internal divisions.

Alpírez highlighted a persistent issue where temporary contract staff are moved to permanent positions, only for new contract roles to be filled. "There is no way to put an end to all this detrimental hiring for the worker, and they accept it out of necessity," he stated. As of May this year, the Ministry of Health employs 79,514 workers across permanent and temporary contracts. The union's actions, including a meeting on July 3, underscore their determination to secure better working conditions and compensation.