Filipino nurses to reclaim former positions before demotion –nurses' group

After a year of campaigning, Filipino Nurses United said it won against the "unjust demotion provision" of a Department of Budget and Management circular which modified the position of attributes of nurses.

In a statement on Sunday, the FNU said nurses will no longer be demoted, while nurses with Nurse II positions will have a salary upgrade from salary grade 15 to SG 16.

In August 2020, the FNU called for a fair and just wage increase for all nurses, arguing that they do not need a demotion amid the pandemic.

DBM circular 2020-4 or the Modification in the Position Attributes stated that Nurse 2 becomes Nurse 1 with SG 15, while Nurse 3 up to Nurse 6 are downgraded to a rank lower.

The DBM also dissolved the Nurse 7 position and instead placed the Nurse 7’s SG 24 to the Nurse 6 title.

With their victory, the FNU said nurses will now be claiming back their former positions before the demotion.

"The memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea last June 1, 2021 proves that the united voice of nurses and their righteous assertion of their legitimate labor rights is critical in claiming back what is due for them," the group said.

"With this victory of nurses over demotion policy, FNU members will remain steadfast to advance the economic rights and general welfare of the Filipino nurses," it added. — DVM, GMA News