BERLIN, Nov 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Medical staff in Germany conducted a two-day strike, starting on Nov 23, causing many medical examination and treatment activities to be canceled, especially affecting university hospitals.
Verdi union said that in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, western Germany, there are 6 hospitals participating in the strike.
About 300 employees of the Leipzig University Medical Center and 1,200 employees from mental health care centers in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg (Southwest) also participated in this strike.
The Verdi union’s call for a strike affects all university hospitals and mental health centers.
Industry employees proposed a 10.5% increase in income, and this increase must be guaranteed to be at least 500 euros ($545) per month.
A senior member of the Verdi union, Sylvia Buehler, said that those who care for and treat patients every day must be able to pay rent and live on their salary.
She also warned that demands for salary increases may be higher in the context of a shortage of medical staff.
Germany is facing a serious shortage of staff in the health sector. According to consulting and auditing company PwC, the country’s healthcare sector could lack up to 1.8 million workers – including doctors, nurses, nurses and other staff – by 2035.
Currently, only 1/3 of doctors or nurses say they plan to continue their employment until retirement. — NNN-AGENCIES
