Unpaid wages and deadly risk: Why health workers are threatening to abandon the Ebola response

Dozens of health workers in Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo, staged protests on Thursday to demand unpaid wages. The labor action has led to the abandonment of several health facilities, causing disruptions to care in the region currently experiencing the world’s fastest-growing Ebola outbreak.

Staff members working in Ebola isolation wards face significant daily risks, as a single error in protective protocols can be fatal. The protests highlight the precarious conditions for medical personnel who are continuing to provide essential services while navigating both the threat of the virus and the lack of financial compensation.