Health: Minister Cseke proposes new bonuses, already agreed upon by trade unions

While the Government's proposed new pay legislation reduces certain bonuses, interim Health Minister Attila Cseke has put forward a series of proposals that go in the opposite direction, having received the approval of trade unions in the sector.

Among the announced measures are an increase in the bonus awarded for emergency on-call shifts from 20% to 30%, the introduction of a pilot scheme under which doctors' pay would be determined by performance criteria, a review of how bonuses for hazardous conditions are awarded, and a restructuring of pay coefficients with the aim of correcting existing imbalances.

"I have proposed an increase in the bonus for emergency on-call shifts, which the trade unions have agreed to. It is in line with what the unions have also proposed. I have proposed a pilot scheme for performance-based pay for doctors. I have proposed a provision that, in practice, stages the bonus categories from 30 to 50, from 20 to 30, from 5 to 20, and from 0 to 5 per cent, which again aligns with what the trade unions have requested, and I put forward several technical proposals that are likewise in keeping with what was discussed with the unions," said Attila Cseke.

The Minister noted that two further matters still require discussion: the minimum-maximum pay coefficients as they currently appear in the draft legislation, and the way in which the bonus categories are divided across the four specialist fields, in keeping with the existing structure under Law 153.

"There are two aspects that still need to be discussed — relating to the minimum-maximum pay coefficients as they stand today in the draft legislation, and here, largely speaking, we are, at least on our side — I am referring to the medical sector — we are aligned with the trade unions' expectations; namely, that the bonuses and bonus categories should be divided — there is a discussion to be had about dividing them across the four specialist fields, as is already the case under Law 153," the Minister added.

When asked whether these proposals were "reasonable" from a financial standpoint, Attila Cseke replied: "Based on Minister Pîslaru's statements, yes."