04:22Greece: Striking healthcare workers protest new 'privatisation' bill
Healthcare workers went on strike on Thursday, and protested in front of the Greek Parliament in Athens, denouncing a draft government bill that they claim will increase the role of the private sector in the health system.
"We have to resist this intense government effort to privatise public hospitals, and to leave the Greek citizens without National Healthcare Service," claimed union leader at 'Elena Venizelou’ maternity hospital, Maria Zisimatou.
Footage shows protesters with banner, placards and flags, with industrial action ongoing all this week.
"This bill is a sweeping attack on the National Healthcare Service. It is part of the wave of privatisations that this government has unleashed and is dismantling all social services," alleged political science author Panos Garganas.
Media reports suggest the bill will scrap full-time exclusive employment contracts for doctors in the public sector, meaning many could take on private patients and even use public hospitals to treat them. Another protester, Kyriakos Karidis, said it would undermine the whole system.
"This bill tells the patient that if you really want to be treated you can pay the public hospital the same price you would pay in a private hospital or you can if you want to go to a private hospital," he stated.
The demonstrators are also calling for improved conditions and salary hikes for staff.
"The government is talking about new salary increases that are nothing compared to what doctors are entitled to," claimed one medic, Giorgos Kokolakis. "They deserve more to be able to live a comfortable life in a period with such an increased cost of living."
The Ministry of Health says the bill is needed because few doctors are responding to permanent vacancies in the public sector.
04:22Healthcare workers went on strike on Thursday, and protested in front of the Greek Parliament in Athens, denouncing a draft government bill that they claim will increase the role of the private sector in the health system.
"We have to resist this intense government effort to privatise public hospitals, and to leave the Greek citizens without National Healthcare Service," claimed union leader at 'Elena Venizelou’ maternity hospital, Maria Zisimatou.
Footage shows protesters with banner, placards and flags, with industrial action ongoing all this week.
"This bill is a sweeping attack on the National Healthcare Service. It is part of the wave of privatisations that this government has unleashed and is dismantling all social services," alleged political science author Panos Garganas.
Media reports suggest the bill will scrap full-time exclusive employment contracts for doctors in the public sector, meaning many could take on private patients and even use public hospitals to treat them. Another protester, Kyriakos Karidis, said it would undermine the whole system.
"This bill tells the patient that if you really want to be treated you can pay the public hospital the same price you would pay in a private hospital or you can if you want to go to a private hospital," he stated.
The demonstrators are also calling for improved conditions and salary hikes for staff.
"The government is talking about new salary increases that are nothing compared to what doctors are entitled to," claimed one medic, Giorgos Kokolakis. "They deserve more to be able to live a comfortable life in a period with such an increased cost of living."
The Ministry of Health says the bill is needed because few doctors are responding to permanent vacancies in the public sector.