Health workers protest again about the lack of a Collective Agreement

Representatives of the Federation of Health Trade Unions have expressed the concern and dissatisfaction of health workers for the lack of a Collective Contract. Through a protest in front of the Government, they demanded for the second time that the Collective Contract be signed as soon as possible. They accused the Ministry of Health of lack of interest in social dialogue

On Thursday, the health workers protested for the second time in front of the Government with the request for the signing of the Collective Contract and the return of the social dialogue with the Ministry of Health. 

The President of the Federation of Health Trade Unions of Kosovo, Tevide Imeri, has said that the lack of a Collective Contract for two years has harmed health professionals.

"The non-signing of the Collective Contract, which has handicapped us in the field, because we have been deprived of many benefits and is a legal obligation, it is not in the desire of either the Ministry or the Government to do it, but it is a legal obligation. We had a Collective Agreement, but they unilaterally severed it without taking our opinion. In the contract, it is written between the two parties, while it is separated only from the other side with the promise that an even better contract will be made, even more favorable for health workers", she said.

Imeri has accused the Minister of Health, Arben Vitia, of visiting clinics only when inaugurations are held. 

"The Minister of Health only goes to cut ribbons, for this reason he only sees where it has been renovated, he doesn't go where there are no renovations, he doesn't go where there aren't fixed sanitary facilities, he doesn't even go to clinics where water drips every day . It doesn't even go where the health workers don't have a changing room where they can change, put on or take off their uniforms and they don't even have the basic conditions, I made it known that the workers are not only fleeing for wages, but also for treatment dignified, they have a problem with the managerial system in health", added Imeri.

After the protest, union representatives were invited to a meeting on Friday with Minister Arben Vitia.

The Collective Contract signed two years ago contains some benefits for employees in the health sector. 

It regulates the establishment of the employment relationship, the content of the contract, the schedule, vacations, seniority and risk in the workplace.

The teachers also protested about the Collective Contract on Wednesday.