Kiska Vetoes Bill on Pay for Medical Workers

President Andrej Kiska on Monday vetoed the amendment to the Health-care Providers Act that Parliament approved in November, urging legislators to make amendments to the amendment. The head of state argues that the explanatory memorandum to the bill provides no indication about the impact of the bill on the state or the Health Ministry's budget. Kiska also maintains that the envisaged changes fail to be covered sufficiently in terms of funds. Under the bill approved on November 25, health care workers both in state and private hospitals should see their salaries increased as of January. The pay rise should apply to over 20 occupations such as nurses, medical laboratory technicians and orderlies - but excluding doctors. Organisations consisting of medical workers have been unimpressed, however. They claim the legislation will increase only salaries at hospitals but not at doctor's offices, spas and social service facilities. As of Monday, the resignations of 1,041 nurses and midwives remain in effect. Another 223 of their peers have backtracked on their decisions while 78 new nurses have been hired in the interim.