(27 September 2010) Latvian Trade Union of Health and Social Care Employees (LVSADA) is going to participate in European Day of Action: No to Austerity – Priority for Jobs and Growths.
Latvian health care workers are facing cut of 20% in salaries and cut of more than 15% in jobs. Government spending on health care was decreased by 25%, while the decrease of gross domestic product was 22% in Latvia during last two years. There are dramatic consequences affecting accessibility and quality of health care: case fatality in hospitals increased by more than 1/3 and according to WHO European Health report 2009, 30% of Latvian people can not afford themselves to consult a doctor.
Despite disastrous facts reported, Latvian government prepares further cuts in spending on health in year 2011.
European Comission ignores this descending scenario. However, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU in Article 35 is stating: A high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all the Union’s policies and activities.
To protect this fundamental right of Latvian people, the LVSADA in cooperation with the Latvian Free Trade Union Federation (LBAS) will organise an action of protest at the building of European Commission representation office in Riga on 29 September. The time of action is coordinated with a demonstration in Brussels.
The LVSADA is planning to send a complaint about maladministration by Europen Comission to European Ombudsman at the end of the action. The complaint has been already co-signed by the LVSADA, the Latvian Organisation for Cooperation of Handicapped People SUSTENTO and the Latvian Ombudsman of Patients and supported by signatures of 54 000 Latvian people.
- Log in to post comments