Premier: Agreement with doctors near, salaries main sticking point

We're heading towards agreement on seven points, Premier Eduard Heger (OLANO) said following the talks with the Medical Trade Union Association (LOZ) on Tuesday. The agreement stands and falls on the eighth point concerning salaries, added the premier. "At the time when we're coping with the energy crisis and high inflation, the offer of €309 million, which would mean getting to the level of Czech salaries, is very generous," stated Heger, asking doctors to withdraw their notices.
Finance Minister Igor Matovic (OLANO) reiterated that the offer to increase doctors' salaries by as much as 35 percent is final. He expects a definitive answer from doctors on Wednesday (November 23). He pointed out that the trade unionists insist on a 59-percent increase and that their original demand for a 100-percent increase should be in place after December 1.
Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky (an OLANO nominee) added that the negotiations continue with technical details being fine-tuned. "The main points have been agreed, we are now seeking ways to get it into legislation as quickly as possible," he explained. The minister believes that the chief outline will be fine-tuned at 95 percent by the end of Tuesday's talks. (TASR)