ZAGREB, Feb 11 (Hina) - The Croatian Doctors' Union (HLS) accused Health Minister Andro Vlahusic of being responsible for a doctors' strike and its consequences. The union decided to continue with the strike even on today's World Day
of the Sick.
ZAGREB, Feb 11 (Hina) - The Croatian Doctors' Union (HLS) accused
Health Minister Andro Vlahusic of being responsible for a doctors'
strike and its consequences. The union decided to continue with the
strike even on today's World Day of the Sick. #L#
The strike continues in the same extent, meaning that only
emergency cases were being treated, despite a suggestion by the
union's Zagreb branch that the strike be discontinued for the day.
HLS president Ivica Babic said a decision on discontinuing the
strike could only be made by the strike committee, which would not
convene until Wednesday.
Babic reiterated that the HLS was still ready for negotiations, but
refused to specify from which positions. They are prepared,
however, only to sign an agreement which would solve the status of
the profession in its entirety.
Commenting on information about the diminishing support of
citizens for the strike, Babic said that according to unionists,
the support had not lessened as much as had been presented in
polls.
Babic also accused Vlahusic of such a perception of the strike in
the public, because he provided half-truths to the public.
The union president refuted writings in the media that he was
connected with the Croatian Democratic Union party (HDZ) and that
the strike's true goal was to topple the government.
"It is interesting that during the HDZ's rule I was accused of being
(incumbent Prime Minister) Racan's man, and now I'm HDZ's," Babic
said.
He dismissed all speculation about politicisation or intention of
using the strike to topple the government.
(hina) lml sb