More than 240 cleaners of Mulago Hospital have downed their tools over none payment and poor working conditions.
The workers, attached to Safi Cleaners claim that they haven't been paid since February this year.
Machrine Asimwe, one of the cleaners says that they are demanding shillings 120,000 each from Mulago hospital. She says that they decided to stage a strike for fear of loosing their money because their contracts expire this week.
Asimwe says that Mulago Hospital has already contracted NORIEMA services to take over the cleaning services. NORIEMA begins work on March 31st.
Sarah Nalwoga, who has been working as a cleaner says that in addition to delayed payment they have also been working under deplorable conditions.
Nalwoga says that they work through out the week without any day of rest. She explains that their work involves cleaning all the wards, toilets, compound and dumping medical waste.
Paul Damba, the Supervisor Safi Cleaners says that the workers took a unanimous decision to stage a strike to force Mulago Hospital to pay them before another firm takes over.
Dr Edward Dumba, the Medical Superintendent Mulago Hospital says that he signed the cleaners pay cheque but doesn't not why they have not been cleared.
He has appealed to the cleaners to resume working until they are paid their money.
Dr Dumba says that NORIEMA services will not take over until all the cleaners are paid their money.
As a result the strike most of the wards have become filthy dirty water on their floors.
A patient who spoke to URN on condition of anonymity says that the wards have not been cleaned since last Friday.
