LOZ: Not Yet Clear If Doctors on Notice Will Work as of New Year

Bratislava, December 31 (TASR) - It is still questionable whether doctors running down their notice periods will continue to work as of January 1, 2025, with head of the Medical Trade Union Association (LOZ) Peter Visolajsky confirming for TASR that they are still negotiating with the Agel and Penta Hospitals chains as well as the Health Ministry on amendments to labour contracts. The Health Ministry told TASR on Monday (December 30) that it is actively addressing the situation and negotiating with all providers of institutional health care. It believes that a mutual compromise and reconciliation in the health-care sector will be achieved. "We're still dealing with the situation. We're currently negotiating with the ministry and the problem hospitals. I can't provide a definitive stance at the moment," said Visolajsky. The Medical Trade Union Association (LOZ) confirmed for TASR on Monday that there is still a risk that more than 3,300 doctors won't work as of the New Year, with the reason being that about 20 doctors have still not concluded with Agel and Penta Hospitals amendments to the contracts agreed between LOZ and the Health Ministry. On behalf of the government, Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD) signed an agreement with LOZ in December on establishing social reconciliation in the health-care sector. In it, the government committed itself to fulfilling a number of the medical trade union's demands. The two sides will also continue to negotiate on disputed points. LOZ was supposed to ensure that doctors withdrew their resignation notices. Based on the contract, hospital doctors should receive salary increases according to the original conditions before financial consolidation was introduced. am/df