Amid Ebola outbreak, health workers in Liberia call for strike

Thousands of health care workers in Liberia said they would go on strike starting Monday because of a dispute in pay, a move that could be a damaging blow to containing the Ebola virus’ spread in the country.

Members of Liberia’s National Health Workers Association said they would not report to work on Monday unless a demand for an increase in hazard pay — currently less than $500 — was met, the Associated Press reported.

Association members have demanded $700 in monthly hazard pay on top of monthly salaries that are generally around $200 or $300.

The strike could leave hundreds of patients without care as health workers threaten to abandon patients in Ebola treatment units, clinics and hospitals if their demands for improved pay are not met, Reuters reported.

Data compiled by the World Health Organization  show there have been 2,316 confirmed, probable and suspected deaths linked to the Ebola virus in Liberia.