Petition for salary negotiations and improved working conditions for Doctors.
 
To: ​The Honourable Minister of Health
​The Honourable Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago
 
The Northwest Doctors Association and public sector doctors from other regions have deep concerns regarding the ongoing issues surrounding working conditions, salaries and the professional and personal welfare of doctors. As a fraternity, we work tirelessly to provide healthcare to citizens, yet our voices have not been heard, and our rights neglected.
 
We ask for redress on the following issues;
 
1. Lack of salary negotiations

The current 2015 salary (which only covers the negotiating period up to 2013) is inadequate and does not reflect the rate of inflation, cost of living, or increased workload. This has led to growing frustration and discontent among doctors, with many choosing to migrate. The COVID-19 pandemic placed an enormous strain on healthcare professionals across the country, and we, as doctors, worked tirelessly throughout this crisis, often under unsafe and challenging conditions. We were expected to put our own health at risk to save others, and despite our heroic efforts, we were only provided with a one-off payment, which does not even begin to cover the mental, emotional, and physical stress we endured.

 
2. The ongoing crisis within MPATT

We understand that it is not the government's role to manage the affairs of a union, however, the ongoing disarray within the Medical Professionals Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MPATT) where there has been no constitutionally elected leadership since 2015, has left us without a representative body capable of effectively advocating for our rights and interests.  This lack of leadership has contributed to the stagnation of meaningful discussions regarding our working conditions and compensation. Numerous calls to the MPATT to have discussions with NWDA about enhanced representation and negotiations have been completely ignored. Given their role as the de facto negotiating body for doctors this is largely unacceptable.
 

3. Increased threats to life and safety in the workplace

Recently, doctors have faced escalating levels of violence and threats while performing their duties. Two executions have occurred on hospital premises this year. Continued daily physical threats from patients and their families make it difficult to provide care in a safe environment.
The protective services have been granted a "hazard allowance" and mental health assistance, yet no such acknowledgment or compensation has been extended to us.

We, the undersigned ask for you to take immediate action to address these critical issues. We are asking for the government to shed light on the state of salary negotiations and move to expedite them so that doctors can be fairly remunerated for the essential role we play in ensuring the health of our population. 

Please give us the respect we deserve.
 
Signed,
NWDA Executive