Saudi ministry threatens to shut down hospital over salary delays

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Labor and Social Development has given the owner of a private hospital 48 hours to pay off the employees’ delayed salaries or else the ministry would shut down the hospital. Baha Labor and Social Development Director Ahmad Al-Asimi said more than 250 doctors and employees working at a private hospital in Beljarshi held a strike on Monday for not being paid for four consecutive months.

“The ministry responded to a strike held by the doctors and employees of the hospital. The ministry granted the owner of the hospital 48 hours to pay his employees their rightful salary. Otherwise, the ministry would shut down the hospital and all of the doctors and employees will be transferred to the location of their choice,” said Al-Asimi.

He added the ministry is monitoring



the hospital day and night to ensure that the doctors and employees return to their work and tend to the patients. Baha Health Affairs General Director Mishal Al-Siyali said he was relieved to know that the Ministry of Labor and Social Development has interfered to control the situation and ensure that the patients are not affected by the administrative issues.

“The patients are being treated well. I have met with the owner and directors of the hospital to inform them the minister’s decision will not be taken leniently and that it is extremely important to pay the doctors and employees. I have also summoned the owner of the hospital to the ministry’s location to present his case,” said Al-Siyali. He also said the directorate’s top priority is the health services offered to the patients and their health condition.