Health, Croatia
Health workers call for higher pay to stop emigration
On 12 May healthworkers in Sofia and Zagreb demonstrated over poor pay and working conditions and the crisis of understaffing. 5000 nurses, medical professionals, midwives and lab technicians joined a demonstration outside the Council of Ministers in Sofia demanding a 1500 Lev (EUR 765) minimum wage for health workers as a step towards stemming the flow of health workers out of the country. In Zagreb the call was also for improved pay and working conditions and in particular the respect for collective agreements in relation to overtime pay.
Capacity building project for the hospital sector in Central, East and Southern Europe started
On 28 March 2019 EPSU participated, together with its representatives of the two national affiliates from Romania, Sanitas, and Croatia, HSSMS-MT, in the kick-off meeting of the joint HOSPEEM-EPSU project focusing on strengthening social dialogue in the hospital sector that will run in 2019 and 2020.
Health unions threaten strike action over pay
Health unions were due to meet the government on 23 August to continue negotiations over the current collective agreement and previously agreed pay increases. The unions are threatening strike action if there is not a positive outcome and confirmation that pay increases included in the current collective agreement will be honoured. Pay increases of 3% (in August) for health workers in general and 4% (in October) for staff with diagnostic responsibilities are part of the annex to the collective agreement in force until 31 October. However, the government said it wouldn't confirm the increases
Health workers continue protests over pay
Health unions have been continuing demonstrations across the country to put pressure on the government to honour previously agreed pay increases. The current sector collective agreement included pay increases of 3% on 1 August and 4% on 1 October. The government said it would not to pay the increases but following negotiations with the unions it now looks possible that a 7% increase will be confirmed. A meeting between unions and the government was due on 13 September with the unions threatening strike action if there was no agreement.
Health unions secure collective agreement but plan further action
Health unions have managed to ensure that the government will honour the current collective agreement that commited it to pay increases of 3% and 4% this year. The unions were forced to organise a high-profile national campaign - "5 to midnight" - when the government indicated it would not implement the increases. The campaign highlighted the state of the health service, understaffing and overwork and the need to recognise health workers' commitment. The unions are now looking forward to the start of the next pay negotiations and will continue their campaign on the need to invest in the health
Nursing organisations call for action on jobs, staffing and training
The HSSMS-MT nursing union has joined with other nursing organisations in submitting a series of demands on the government to address the urgent problem of understaffing resulting from emigration and retirement. The joint document highlights the increased pressure that the health service faces and the failure of recent governments to provide solutions. The unions and associations want to see proper recognition of qualifications and responsibilities in the job and pay structure and recruitment of more staff. They are also calling for clear plan to address training and education needs.
Unions reject government’s plan to block pay rise
Unions representing public service workers have made clear that they do not accept the government’s proposal to suspend this year’s pay increases, along with Christmas and other bonuses. Two pay increases are due to be paid this year, both of 2% in June and October. EPSU issued a statement supporting the unions’ position and criticising the government for pushing for a pay freeze for workers on the frontline of the fight against the pandemic.
HOSPEEM-EPSU Third Regional Workshop in Central Europe, 11 September 2020, Zagreb, Croatia - POSTPONED - Spring 2021
HOSPEEM and EPSU Third Regional Workshop - capacity building of national social partners in the hospital/health care sector in Croatia, Czechia, Slovakia and Slovenia - POSTPONED - Spring 2021
Public sector pay rises postponed
After four rounds of negotiations it was agreed that two pay rises of 2% foreseen for this year would be postponed and paid in January 2021. The existing collective agreement provided for the pay increases along with increases in other allowances and the Christmas bonus and the government had initially wanted to freeze all pay and allowances. However, the postponement was agreed and other allowances will be increased while the Christmas bonus will be negotiated later in the year.
Pay rise and Christmas bonus for public sector workers
Public sector workers will get a 4% pay rise in January 2021 along with a HRK 1500 (EUR 200) Christmas bonus. This was confirmed in negotiations in November and reflects a success for the trade unions in the face of an attempt by the government back in the summer to freeze public sector pay. SDLSN (HR)
Healthcare union supports members in underpaid overtime claims
The HSSMS-MT nurses’ and technicians’ trade union is supporting over 1000 of its members in legal claims to secure compensation for underpaid overtime. The issue dates back to 2016 since when overtime pay rates for many workers failed to take account of certain allowances. The union has invited the health ministry to negotiate over the issue and to avoid the time and cost of the legal process but the court cases continue. It is estimated that the total amount of underpaid overtime is HRK 614 million, around EUR 80 million.