Hospital doctors give deadline for new hires, back pay
The union representing doctors at Greece’s public hospital has give the Health Ministry until April 20 to make progress on new hires, overtime pay and measures for treating uninsured patients, warning of strike action unless demands are met.
OENGE is calling for more staff to be hired into the ESY national health system to make up for massive shortages resulting from a near-freeze on all new hirings in the past five years as part of cost-cutting measures. It said that the shortages are leading to delays in providing basic care to patients and putting enormous pressure on hospital staff and facilities.
The doctors are also seeking millions of euros in back pay for overtime and emergency duty, and have demanded that policies be implemented allowing hospitals to provide care to uninsured patients.
