Strike in hospitals on Monday: nearly 500 units shut down for 2 hours, dissatisfaction over the pay legislation

Employees from nearly 500 hospitals in Bucharest and across the country will stage a warning strike on Monday, 20 July. Hospital services will be suspended for two hours, between 09:00 and 11:00, with only emergency care and approximately one third of normal activity maintained.

Representatives of the SANITAS trade union have stated that the protest is directed against government policies, not against patients or the general public.

What the trade unionists are unhappy about

One of the main issues raised is the pay legislation, which trade unionists say would lead to a reduction in doctors' earnings. As an example, they cite the case of doctors working in intensive care units (ICU), who could lose between 4,000 and 6,000 RON from their income.

Another grievance concerns the long-standing freeze on recruitment within the healthcare system. According to SANITAS, an additional 30,000 members of staff are needed, particularly nurses and auxiliary nurses, as well as 21,000 doctors. This data was reportedly submitted to the Ministry of Health at the beginning of the year to underpin a memorandum that was meant to provide for over 6,000 new hires. The memorandum has yet to be taken forward.

What happens if the protest has no effect

SANITAS has already initiated proceedings for a general strike, scheduled for 28 July, and has notified all Territorial Labour Inspectorates (ITM) and the hospitals involved. According to the union, 489 healthcare units will be joining these protest actions.

Trade unionists are calling on all political parties to vote against the pay legislation, arguing that it would result in lower earnings for healthcare workers.