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Nicaraguan Health Strikers,
Gov´t Parley
Nicaraguan pro-salary doctors
and other health workers and the
Executive are endeavoring Friday
to find a solution to the crisis
faced in the national public
hospitals, semi-paralyzed in an
over 4-month strike.
Although all negotiations have
been futile, both parties are
optimistic they can find a
way-out at the meeting scheduled
to begin at 10:00 local time.
The more than 3,000 Medical
Federation doctors and the
20,000 Health Workers Federation
(FETSALUD) members demand a 30
percent salary increase.
FETSALUD wants better working
conditions and a larger budget
to provide public hospitals with
medications and supplies.
To date, President Enrique
Bolaños´ government is reluctant
to meet those complaints, citing
any reform implies the nation´s
exclusion from the International
Monetary Fund programs.
However, strikers remain firm
despite dismissal threats,
salary retention and the Labor
Ministry´s attempts to
illegalize them.
Monday, to stifle the strike,
authorities ordered the National
Police to occupy hospitals and
only allow entry to people
included on a list made by the
Health Ministry.
Since the strike began, office
hours and operations in the 34
public hospitals nationwide have
been suspended and there are
only emergency cases.
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