Healthcare Strike Averted
Romanian authorities solved the main demands of the unionists in the healthcare sector.
România Internațional, 28.11.2013, 13:37
After several rounds of negotiations between trade unions and the Healthcare Ministry, the general strike in the Romanian public healthcare sector scheduled for November 28th was suspended. On Wednesday, they signed a new collective bargaining agreement, which was the chief demand of the unionists. The president of the Sanitas Federation, Leonard Bărăscu:
Leonard Bărăscu: “Considering that our main demand, the collective bargaining agreement for the healthcare sector, has been signed, the Sanitas Federation suspends the labour conflict with the Healthcare Ministry.”
In turn, the Healthcare Minister, Eugen Nicolăescu, emphasised the importance of the deal:
Eugen Nicolaescu: “In my opinion, this is a very important document, which provides an institutional framework for relations in the public healthcare sector.”
In addition, the Government earmarked an additional 200 million lei to the sector, for the payment of arrears and of the current expenses of healthcare units until the end of the year. Starting on January 1, one thousand new jobs will be available in the sector, which has been facing a severe personnel shortage in recent years. Trade unions announced the negotiations would continue until their other demands are met as well.
