ZAGREB, Jan 22 (Hina) - Croatian Vice-Premier Ante Simonic said after Wednesday's talks at the Health Ministry that he hoped the strike of physicians, which has been going on for eight days now, would end tomorrow, while the president
of the Croatian Doctors' Union's (HLS) strike committee, Ivica Babic, asserted the strike would continue in the same degree.
ZAGREB, Jan 22 (Hina) - Croatian Vice-Premier Ante Simonic said
after Wednesday's talks at the Health Ministry that he hoped the
strike of physicians, which has been going on for eight days now,
would end tomorrow, while the president of the Croatian Doctors'
Union's (HLS) strike committee, Ivica Babic, asserted the strike
would continue in the same degree. #L#
Both parties, however, voiced hope that a solution would be found
within a day or two.
The government's goal is to ease tensions and find a mutual solution
to a problem of this profession, but also of the entire health
system, as well as all people in the country, said Simonic.
Health Minister Andro Vlahusic said that the first compromise
reached today was that the ministry would withdraw its order to
hospital administrations to make a list of doctors on strike. The
two sides agreed that the doctors on strike or hospital
administrations would face no sanctions, he added.
Neither party wished to speak about an increase in doctors'
salaries after the talks.
Simonic announced further consultations with the government with
the aim of finding a solution acceptable to both sides.
Babic also said he intended to hold consultations with members of
his committee about the HLS's further steps in negotiations.
The union reported today that a large majority of doctors
participated in today's strike, in line with HLS recommendations on
their work during the strike.
According to information received by 4pm, the turnout was almost
identical to that of yesterday, which means that more than 90
percent of doctors were on strike, today in its eighth day.
(hina) lml sb