Another 14 nurses have quit their jobs at a private hospital in Bahrain after they allegedly went more than three months without being paid.

They are among more than 200 employees at the International Hospital of Bahrain (IHB), on Budaiya Highway, who claim they have been working without pay since last year, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Doctors have allegedly not been paid since September, while nurses and other categories of staff have allegedly not been paid since October.

The GDN reported in September that 23 doctors and other employees had already resigned over pending wages.

At the time a hospital representative, who asked not to be named, blamed delays in patients paying their medical bills for cash flow problems.

"Last month alone, 14 nurses quit because they were not being paid," said one hospital employee.

"Our salaries range between BD200 ($526) and BD350 for nurses and other categories while doctors are paid over BD600.

"We have home loans, car loans, children's fees, rent and other expenses and we do not know who to turn to for help."

One IHB nurse who has not resigned said she had not been paid for four months, but was afraid to walk away from the job due to concerns that she would lose her final settlement.

"My husband has a job that does not earn enough to run our family of three," she said.

"My salary is BD275 and it's been months since I have been paid. Many are leaving the job, but I can't do that as I cannot let go of my pending wages, which is big money."

A Bahraini nurse claimed many Indian and Filipino employees were now struggling to make ends meet.

"These people who work as cleaners, attenders and security men are often without food and we sometimes pool money to help," said the nurse.

"Many doctors - Indians, Europeans and nationals - are in a fix. They cannot leave, mainly because of their long service and dues that are owed to them."

Labour Ministry Under-Secretary Sabah Al Dossary confirmed that meetings did take place with IHB management after trade unionists highlighted the plight of IHB staff two months ago.

Pledge

He said the hospital had pledged to pay its staff soon - and urged employees to contact the ministry if they were still waiting for their pay.

"We received representation from the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) two months back and we discussed the matter with IHB management," he said.

"They said they were going through a financial crisis and the hospital's location (which has been blighted by rioting) had affected their business.

"However, they said they would soon be settling staff dues and it is unfortunate if they did not keep their promise.

"We have not had any representation from the workers (since) and as soon as we receive this, we can file a labour case against IHB management."

The GDN contacted IHB director general Mariyam Rowayie yesterday, but she said that only the hospital's chief operating officer Chris Lewis and its lawyer could comment.

However, neither Mr Lewis nor the lawyer could be reached. - TradeArabia News Service