OAXACA, Mexico – Over 10,000 health workers across Oaxaca are continuing their strike, demanding the fulfillment of financial commitments made by IMSS Bienestar. Despite recent promises from the authorities to address overdue bonuses, the workers remain steadfast.
Representatives from union sections 35, 73, and 94 have urged their members to maintain permanent assemblies until their demands are met. Omar Jesús López, Jorge Alfredo Díaz, and Vicente Octavio Aragón, leaders of the unions, have called for unwavering commitment from their members.
According to reports, on December 18, IMSS Bienestar officials announced they would fulfill pending payments for bonuses and incentives on specific dates—this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. They also promised to distribute holiday aid for gift purchases by January 2025.
Despite these reassurances, protests continued with health services being suspended at over 40 hospitals and 1,500 health centers across the region, except for emergency and hospitalization services.
On the previous day, workers staged significant protests, blocking vehicle traffic with roadblocks from 8 AM to 3 PM. While no demonstrations took place today, union leaders are advocating for members to attend their work settings but maintain the strike through continuous assemblies.
Meanwhile, on the broader scale of labor rights within the health sector, the IMSS Bienestar's recent interactions with national representatives of the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Salud (SNTSA) have yielded some progress. A communication channel has been established to address concerns affecting transferred health personnel.
Thanks to negotiations involving the IMSS Bienestar, the Ministry of Interior, and state officials, agreements were reached, leading to the suspension of blockades at strategic points across Oaxaca.
On December 17, it was reported by IMSS Bienestar officials, the dispersal of some labor incentives began to the health staff recently integrated under federal governance. This initiative is aimed at alleviating the unrest among workers who had previously expressed their dissatisfaction.
"We remain committed to our staff and ensuring their rights are respected," stated Gerardo Orantes Jordan, head of the General Office. His comments came during discussions highlighting the IMSS Bienestar's pledge for transparency and direct communication with health workers.
The presence of substantial figures from the IMSS alongside union representatives illustrated the importance of this dialogue. Seconded by individuals tasked with overseeing strategic planning and human resources, the meetings emphasized collaboration aimed at satisfying the workforce's needs.
On another front, health workers from Baja California Sur are raising alarms concerning unfulfilled commitments from the IMSS Bienestar. The FINTRAS union coordinator reported growing frustration over the agency’s inability to address these issues effectively. The dissatisfaction, which echoes across multiple states, showcases systemic problems within the IMSS framework concerning labor relations and compliance with agreements.
Pablo Diestro, calling attention to the breakdown of negotiations, alleged, "We have reached out for solutions, but there has been no effective response from IMSS Bienestar." This sentiment reflects the broader crisis affecting health worker morale and operational effectiveness amid rising demands for labor rights.
The dual instances highlight the urgent need for the IMSS Bienestar to clarify and expedite their commitments to healthcare workers. With strikes impacting service delivery across various regions and overshadowing efforts to improve healthcare access, it is imperative for the agency to restore trust among its employees and commit to resolving long-standing grievances.
Authorities are now under pressure to balance the immediate needs of medical staff fighting for their rights and the long-term goals of providing uninterrupted healthcare services to the communities they serve. Coordinated efforts from top officials and union leaders will be pivotal in charting forward steps.
Looking forward, health sector reform linked to labor rights advocates could spur wider initiatives aimed at maintaining workforce stability and guaranteeing the welfare of health personnel, particularly as challenges from unions persist. With this atmosphere of contention, the ethical obligations of the IMSS Bienestar come under scrutiny, as they strive to uphold commitments whilst addressing the pressing needs of patients who rely on these services.
All eyes will now be on the commitments set forth by IMSS Bienestar as the urgency of their responses to labor disputes becomes ever more palpable. The stakes are high not just for health workers, but also for those who depend on effective health care solutions across Oaxaca and beyond.
