Slovak gov't agrees with medical trade union over salary rise

Bratislava (Slovakia), December 21: The Slovak government approved an agreement with the Medical Trade Union Association (LOZ) on Friday to resolve a dispute over doctors' salary increases, local media reported.
Under the agreement, the government pledged to ensure that hospital doctors would receive salary increases as originally planned before the Slovak Parliament adopted the so-called consolidation package on Oct. 3. The package, set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2025, threatened to reduce the planned pay hikes, prompting around 3,000 doctors to file resignation notices.
The agreement also outlines changes to the financing system for healthcare facilities and introduces measures to increase the number of doctors, nurses, and midwives. Further negotiations on disputed points have also been agreed upon, according to the News Agency of the Slovak Republic.
In return, LOZ is expected to ensure that doctors withdraw their resignation notices once the agreement is signed.
Source: Xinhua News Agency