Hospital Staff Protest Wage Cuts In E Romania, Clash With Security

Over one hundred nurses and cleaning staff went on a wildcat strike Tuesday, protesting a 25% wage cut imposed by the Government on the public sector and authorities' plans to fire tens of thousands of public workers, including healthcare staff. Protesters also called on doctors to join their demonstration.

Disgruntled hospital employees broke into the hospital Tuesday evening and security forces used tear gas to disperse them.

The hospital manager told demonstrators Wednesday morning management would hold a meeting to discuss their claims and a team form the Health Ministry's control body is also expected to arrive and investigate the hospital's situation.

The hospital's union leader, Ionel Mocuta, said the protest was spontaneous but union leaders endorse it.

Healthcare unionists throughout the country have threatened to protest throughout September over the deplorable state of the country's healthcare system and the Government's austerity measures. The Sanitas union said it is to hold an ample rally in capital Bucharest on September 22 and its 120,000 members would take the state to court.

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