Doctors union says government fails to address demands

The Health Ministry's draft memorandum contains nothing but vague promises and fails to address the eight demands of the Doctors Trade Union (LOZ), said union chief Peter Visolajsky on Tuesday. The union obtained the wording of the draft memorandum on Monday (November 7). According to Visolajsky, the document doesn't commit the Government to anything and doesn't attest to efforts to reach an agreement, either.
The trade unions are preparing a detailed position on the draft memorandum in which they will explain what they disagree with. They intend to publish it on Wednesday (November 9). Visolajsky said that if the Government fails to come up with a specific list of solutions, the unions will come up with their own. The union noted that only 22 days are left until the end of the period of notice submitted by doctors. It doesn't understand why the Government is underestimating the situation and is inactive. "Half of the period of notice has passed, but no solutions have come from the Government," it stated, calling on the Government to hold negotiations that will bring real solutions.
The trade union chief declared that the union is still willing to agree, but the other side is needed as well. He pointed out that the last meeting with the premier was held in late August. "The Government has been ignoring our invitations. We've contacted all the relevant parliamentary parties, asking them for a meeting," he said. Every meeting has produced positive reactions, a constructive discussion and consent that the unions' demands will help the Slovak health-care sector, said Visolajsky. As a result of these meetings, a special parliamentary session will be convened in connection with the doctors' resignations. "We believe that Parliament will find ways to resolve the situation," said Visolajsky. In early October over 2,100 doctors from 31 Slovak hospitals handed in their notice as a sign of their disagreement with the current conditions in the system. (TASR)