Healthcare workers across Romania walked out on Tuesday over pay reforms after talks broke down with the government
Doctors and nurses joined the strike which took place in 500 Romanian hospitals after failing to reach a resolution on Monday with authorities over a dispute on the planned wage law reform and plans to cut staff and beds.
SANITAS union leaders said only emergency services and one-third of normal medical activity would be maintained during the strike.
They said hospital managers have asked for the names of striking healthcare workers.
“Throughout the strike we will comply with the legal obligations to ensure the continuity of medical assistance and essential services, so that patients are not deprived of the care they need,” SANITAS said.
It said it would continue the walkout until the government resumes the dialogue and presents a draft law “that respects the principles of equity, transparency and real recognition of the work done by all employees in health and social assistance”.
The trade union said the health system needed 30,000 more employees.
It said understaffing meant: “shifts that are increasingly difficult to cover(there is), overload, exhaustion and less time for each patient.”
It said the government wanted to cut 14,000 hospital beds by 2028.
Hospitals on strike
Over 500 medical units are taking part in the general strike. Many have already announced they have ordered measures so that patients are as little affected as possible.
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