Most gov't nurses are underpaid -- survey

MANILA, Philippines - Most nurses working for government or public health facilities are underpaid, revealed a recent survey conducted by a group of nurses.

The survey on the profile and work conditions of community health nurses showed that the most of the government nurses interviewed only get between P6,000 to P10,000 net monthly salary.

However, according to the Nars ng Bayan, an association of community health nurses and people's health advocates, a government nurse with a salary grade of 15 should be getting between P18,000 an P20,000 as net pay.

The survey, conducted from September 2012 to March 2013, also showed that among the 811 nurse-respondents, only 301, or 37.1 percent, are regular employees while the rest are contractual, trainees, job orders, consultants and volunteers.

Trainee-nurses receive P8,000 monthly allowance while the rest get between P3,000 to P6,000 monthly pay, the survey showed.

It also revealed that majority of the respondents, 86.9 percent, finished BS Nursing.

Nars ng Bayan vice president Lenny Nolasco said what their group wants is for the government to implement what is mandated under the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers.

"We have talked to the Department of Health regarding this issue of low salary and lack of security of tenure of government nurses but sadly officials have always reasoned out the lack of funds," Nolasco said.

She cited that based on the survey, conducted with the help of Ibon Foundation, only an average of 40 percent of the benefits provided for in the Magna Carta, particularly sick leave, emergency leave, subsistence allowance and maternity leave are given to nurses.

The survey covered  22 provinces and 83 municipalities,except for three regions--Region 6, Region 4-B and Region 12.