The Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions (SICTU) has expressed full solidarity with the Solomon Islands Nurses Association (SINA) over its ongoing industrial dispute and strike notice concerning unresolved issues affecting the nursing workforce.
SICTU said it notes with concern that the 28-day strike notice issued by SINA on 23 March 2026 is now more than halfway through its duration, with 17 days elapsed.
It said despite formal advice from the Attorney General’s Office, SINA has maintained that its notice complies with the Essential Services and Trade Dispute Act.
The union commended SINA for maintaining its position and refusing to withdraw the notice without a genuine resolution.
SICTU also supported SINA’s position that its demands are separate from the current political situation, describing the issues as long-standing matters of national concern that transcend political leadership.
It said unresolved governance issues within the nursing cadre, ongoing for nearly 12 months, together with outstanding claims dating back to the 2015 revised Scheme of Service, reflect what it described as institutional neglect.
SICTU said nurses make up more than 60 per cent of the health workforce and deliver a significant proportion of the country’s healthcare services, and must be treated with respect and fairness.
The union called on the national government, through the Ministry of Public Service and the Public Service Commission, to urgently address the outstanding issues within the remaining timeframe of the strike notice.
It warned that further delays are unacceptable and urged authorities to act in the interest of safeguarding the country’s health system.
[ENDS]
