Liberia health workers’ strike largely ignored

October 13, 2014
Mariah Timms
News Writer
World News

Union leaders called for a strike of health workers in Liberia today, but the BBC reports that the strike is being largely ignored, and most health workers are continuing to work. Liberia has been hit hardest by the Ebola outbreak, and in fact 95 health workers have died from the virus in that country. Union officials blame the government for coercing workers against the strike. The strike was to push for a higher risk fee on top of salaries, up to $700 from $500, which the government says it cannot afford due to the large scale of the epidemic. Negotiations continue as both sides say they want to provide care for the sick and ensure safety for the health workers and their families.