LOZ Rejects Media Games, Wants Minister to Hold Bilateral Talks with It

Bratislava, December 16 (TASR) - The Doctors' Trade Union (LOZ) criticizes Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD) for convening a special meeting of the sectoral tripartite over doctors' resignations, as it wanted the negotiations to be held only between LOZ and the ministry. "We insist on such a format, as otherwise it will be just another unproductive meeting and postponement of the agreement indefinitely, thereby wasting precious time," said LOZ head Peter Visolajsky. Doctors' trade unionists view the minister's initiative as media games that have no chance of leading to an agreement. They declared that their priority is the seek real solutions and that they are aware of the need to make compromises. "In the current situation, it is quite obvious that the more people, who have nothing to do with the memorandum between the government and LOZ, will participate in the discussion, the less likely it is that a consensus will be reached," stated Visolajsky. At the same time, he called on the minister to realise what reaction his actions are provoking among hospital doctors. "For now, we have to state that his Sunday's steps only escalate the situation in hospitals," said Visolajsky, repeating the call for the bilateral talks. Minister Sasko has convened a special meeting of the sectoral tripartite for Monday afternoon. He believes that the meeting will result in an agreement on a compromise with LOZ. The situation in health sector and society is currently being traumatised by the threat of doctors' mass resignations by the end of the year. ko