Backing for doctors’ strike
Greece’s two biggest labor unions, GSEE and ADEDY, yesterday backed the start of a five-day strike by doctors at Attica state hospitals which was prompted by the government’s delay in the introduction of fewer working hours. The unions said they were «totally opposed» to the Health Ministry’s decision to delay the implementation of European Union regulations which decree that doctors should not work more than 58 hours a week. The measure was meant to start on January 1, but the government has held back because it fears it could lead to a shortage of doctors. GSEE and ADEDY condemned the government’s stance and demanded that talks be held immediately to agree to a viable duty timetable. State hospital doctors outside Attica are due to stage a 48-hour strike from Thursday. Hospitals in Athens and Piraeus will only be treating emergency cases this week.
