WINDHOEK – With tuberculosis field promoters contracted by donor agencies on a casual basis for close to a decade, the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi, said there is nothing government can do to remedy the situation until such a time that promoters are absorbed into government’s employment structures.
The health minister was responding to questions by CoD president Ben Ulenga regarding the matter of TB promoters.
Ulenga wanted to know why government does not employ TB promoters on a permanent basis and whether government has plans to integrate TB promoters into the state’s employment ranks.
“It is important to note that not all field promoters will be transitioned under this job category, as this has its requirements such as qualifications which may not have been considered in the recruitment of the field promoters,” Kamwi responded to Ulenga’s questions in the National Assembly last week.
“Field promoters can only expect a salary increase when they will be transitioned into government, and their remuneration will be according to government provisions,” said Kamwi.
Most of the field promoters are fulltime employees contracted by donor agencies.
When asked why field promoters who have been working for more than eight years are still earning N$1 800, Kamwi responded: “Field promoters are employed by donor agencies and their employment span and salary are determined by the availability of funds from donor organizations.”
He reiterated that TB field promoters are neither volunteers nor are their labour being exploited but rather they work and get paid according to the contract they signed.
When the minister was asked if there are plans to integrate TB field promoters to be government employees, he stated that they are part of a broader ongoing process and they will still need the support of civil society organisations even if they are integrated into government.
By Obrein Simasiku