ZAGREB, Jan 27 (Hina) - Monday's talks between the health ministry and the Croatian Doctors' Union (HLS) failed again, so the doctors' strike continues.
ZAGREB, Jan 27 (Hina) - Monday's talks between the health ministry
and the Croatian Doctors' Union (HLS) failed again, so the doctors'
strike continues. #L#
The government does not accept the HLS request for a linear increase
in doctors' salaries by 2,000 kuna, but is willing to grant a 10%
increase in the wage budget, so that doctors' salaries, depending
on working conditions, could rise by six to 22 percent, vice-
premier Ante Simonic said.
The government is offering the drafting of a new branch collective
agreement for the health system and sending into urgent
parliamentary procedure a bill on the medical profession. However,
it will not yield under blackmail or threats, said Simonic during a
pause in the negotiations.
The government is ready to reconsider the salary coefficient
system, and in the meantime, continue negotiations on every element
of a possible future agreement.
The vice-premier reiterated that the time spent in strike would not
be paid, nor would the government undertake any measures of
repression.
The situation in the health sector is not good, which is why the
government is insisting on reforming the system, Simonic said,
stressing that salaries could be only a part of the overall changes
to the health system.
(hina) lml sb