Honduran health workers protest for 11 months of unpaid wages

Employees reinstated by court order at the Hospital Leonardo Martínez and the Ministry of Health (Sesal) in Honduras staged simultaneous protests Thursday, demanding payment of their overdue salaries. The demonstrations occurred in the hospital and at Sesal's facilities in Tegucigalpa.

The protesting workers reported that despite being reinstated by a court order nearly a year ago, they have not received their salaries for 11 months. Another group of workers, reinstated seven months ago, faces similar issues. They were also informed that funds for six months of last year's salary were transferred to Public Debt, requiring new procedures to access the money, a situation they deem unfair.

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We are tired, we don't know what to do. We have been protesting for three weeks with work stoppages and still no response.

Ingrid Zelaya, a spokesperson for the employees, expressed frustration with the authorities' evasive responses. "We are tired, we don't know what to do. We have been protesting for three weeks with work stoppages and still no response," Zelaya stated. She added that officials claim documents are not being signed in Tegucigalpa, the deputy minister is traveling, or they must continue waiting, despite a court ruling issued a year ago that remains unfulfilled.

Fanny Domínguez, a representative of the protesters in Tegucigalpa, explained that they seek a definitive solution to the payment non-compliance and the establishment of budget structures for their positions. "We have come with the objective that they receive us and give us a solution," Domínguez said. The group, comprising about 20 individuals including dentists, nurses, and other health personnel, blocked the main entrance to the Ministry of Health, demanding to be met with by authorities.

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We have come with the objective that they receive us and give us a solution.