Health workers in Romania threaten general strike
Over 5,000 healthcare workers rallied in Bucharest on October 13 to protest the poor conditions of the country's crumbling heath system, and the low wages they receive.
Romania once had a vibrant, and completely free healthcare system, but all that changed with the overthrow of the government in the "revolution" of 1989.
The privitization and introduction of free market policies that followed lead to a rapid deterioration of the healthcare and education systems that existed previously.
According to one source, "The public health situation has deteriorated to where the country is being threatened by epidemics."
As a result of all this, the healthcare workers are now threatening to wage a general strike unless the health budget is boosted and they get a 70% raise.
Some nurses are only making 110 Euros a month; not enough to meet even their most basic needs.
Romania is scheduled to join the EU soon, which will see even more skilled medical workers leave for countries like Germany and France, where they'll be paid more.
The healthcare system will continue to fall apart unless real changes are made.
I wish the Romanian healthcare workers the best, and pledge my full support to their cause.
I hope they do launch the general strike, and that it will turn into something more, as the teachers strike in Oaxaca, Mexico has.
Romania once had a vibrant, and completely free healthcare system, but all that changed with the overthrow of the government in the "revolution" of 1989.
The privitization and introduction of free market policies that followed lead to a rapid deterioration of the healthcare and education systems that existed previously.
According to one source, "The public health situation has deteriorated to where the country is being threatened by epidemics."
As a result of all this, the healthcare workers are now threatening to wage a general strike unless the health budget is boosted and they get a 70% raise.
Some nurses are only making 110 Euros a month; not enough to meet even their most basic needs.
Romania is scheduled to join the EU soon, which will see even more skilled medical workers leave for countries like Germany and France, where they'll be paid more.
The healthcare system will continue to fall apart unless real changes are made.
I wish the Romanian healthcare workers the best, and pledge my full support to their cause.
I hope they do launch the general strike, and that it will turn into something more, as the teachers strike in Oaxaca, Mexico has.
