The staff of Streekziekenhuis Atjoni are still waiting for their August salary. According to trade union BVAW, arrears of fifteen months have also accumulated in the bridging allowance, meaning employees may be owed SRD 52,500 each.
The non-payment is once again causing uncertainty among employees of Streekziekenhuis Atjoni. Jerry Macintosch, chairman of the Bond Voor Alle Werkers (Union for All Workers), BVAW, confirmed to TFD that the August salary has not yet been deposited into employees’ accounts.
According to the union, this is compounded by much larger arrears. Staff reportedly have not yet received the bridging allowance for the whole of 2025 and for January, February and March 2026. According to the union, this amounts to fifteen months of outstanding payments.
For employees, the arrears can weigh heavily. In addition to their regular salary, staff rely on the allowance to cover fixed expenses such as food, transport, rent and school costs. At an amount of SRD 3,500 per month, fifteen months of arrears amounts to SRD 52,500 per employee.
Arrears at Streekziekenhuis Atjoni continue to rise
The bridging allowance is intended as temporary financial support for healthcare staff, pending the introduction of a new salary scale. The amount was set at SRD 3,500 per month and is intended to prevent employees from having to wait for a long time for a structural salary adjustment without any compensation.
The government previously acknowledged that arrears had arisen. In October 2025, Minister André Misiekaba of Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Arbeid (Public Health, Welfare and Labour) announced that catch-up payments would be made. Healthcare workers would receive SRD 7,000 for several months, with two monthly allowances of SRD 3,500 being paid each time. Key News reported on this arrangement at the time.
Fifteen months of arrears could mean SRD 52,500 in outstanding allowances per employee.
Not the first time at Streekziekenhuis Atjoni
This is not the first time that employees of the hospital in Atjoni have reported problems involving financial provisions. In early 2024, it was also reported that hospital staff had been left out of a payment of the bridging allowance that other groups in healthcare had received.
The issue affects more than just the financial position of employees. Streekziekenhuis Atjoni plays an important role in healthcare for the Boven Surinamegebied and surrounding communities. Particularly in areas where medical facilities are farther away, retaining sufficient and motivated staff is essential to the continuity of care.
Financial problems increase pressure on healthcare staff
The healthcare sector has also long been dealing with staff shortages and the departure of qualified healthcare workers. At other hospitals as well, trade unions have repeatedly pointed to overdue allowances, low salaries and the pressure this places on employees. Key News reported in March 2026 that the government had already made more than SRD 117.6 million available for various payments to hospital staff.
The BVAW now wants clarity on two matters: when the August salary will be paid and when the full arrears in the bridging allowance will be cleared. Macintosch says the union will consult with its members and hopes that payment will still be made soon. “They are entitled to it,” the union chairman said.
Union awaits clarity on payment
As long as no specific payment date is given, uncertainty remains for employees of Streekziekenhuis Atjoni. The situation also raises the question of how it can be prevented that healthcare staff once again have to wait months for amounts intended for them under earlier agreements.
