Government and trade unions meet over doctors’ deal

The government has called for doctors’ unions to call off the threat to quit en masse from hospitals at the end of the month before it decides whether to back a proposed pay hike. These conditions were set out in the cabinet meeting on Wednesday and the deal will be discussed by the government next week. Ahead of the meeting, members of the senior coalition party, the Civic Democrats, had accused Health Minister Leoš Heger of giving too much away. But the minister had been backed by the smallest government party, Public Affairs, and could have been expected to win support from his own party, TOP 09. The government move angered doctors whose unions were due to meet on Wednesday to give their verdict on the deal. Some have already said the offer falls short of their expectations. Press reports late on Wednesday said they had supported the proposed pay rise.

A preliminary deal struck on Monday would give doctors monthly pay rises of 5,000 to 8,000 crowns, ie. a salary hike of 10 and 16 percent. The health minister has also promised that doctor’s salaries would increase by around 10 percent annually until they reach triple the national average. If either side fails to approve the agreement the Czech Republic could face the most serious health crisis in its history, with up to 3,800 physicians walking out at the beginning of March in protest at low pay.

Author: Chris Johnstone