The Vanuatu Nurses' Association says many nurses feel frightened to voice their opinions after about 100 medical workers were suspended for signing of a petition.
Its vice-president says the acting Director-General of Health, Dr Santus Wari, yesterday sent letters notifying staff they were suspended for six months on half pay.
Anne Pakoa says Dr Wari's move follows a petition by staff that asked the Prime Minister, Moana Carcasses, to remove Dr Wari and the Health Minister, Serge Vohor.
"This situation has caught the nurses in a trap where they feel frightened, democracy is not there anymore, they feel that they cannot voice their rights, they cannot voice their concerns because they might get punished by being suspended, by being transferred or demoted to a junior position, you know things like that."
Anne Pakoa says nurses that signed the petition are worried by a lack of consultation over a revamp of the health system.
The office of the Prime Minister says the suspensions are being lifted.
