Health unions call strike alert for higher wages

Trade unions in the health sector have called a strike alert in support of higher wages. They have also called on doctors and nurses to abide by the labour code with respect to overtime and have urged inspectors to check-out work conditions in hospitals.

Many hospitals admit that due to a shortage of staff they force doctors and nurses to take more overtime hours than the labour code allows.

The unions have written an open letter to Prime Minister Andrej Babiš saying that the government should keep its promise of a ten percent raise for health workers.

Health Minister Adam Vojtěch said on Thursday that wages in the health sector had already risen by 30 percent in the last five years and the hike now being considered was four to five percent.

There are 260,000 people working in the heath sector and another 100,000 in social services.