Nurses protest 70% participation has started their strike at the Algarve Local Health Unit (ULS). Their demand is for an increment in pay and a better working environment. The strike is called for 2 days where peaceful demonstrations will be conducted.
Strike By Nurses For More Pay
The strike is called against the authorities for increasing the pay. There has been a huge turnout to this protest. It has been reported that around 70% turnout is expected. Many people are being part of this protest. The Union for Nurses has called out for the support of their nurses. They demand that these conditions won’t be tolerated. The protest has been called to gain the attention of the authorities.
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The regional director for the Portuguese Nurses’ Union (SEP), Alda Pereira in Algarve conveyed her stance on the protest as well. She believes that the turnout is much better than expected. Her formal statement is as follows:
We are seeing around 70% participation, with almost 100% in intensive care and inpatient services for pulmonology and medicine 3 at Faro Hospital.
She further talked to the media about the situation of hospitals. Her main concern was that this strike was having some major impact on the region’s hospitals. She said that nurses from several hospitals are supporting the strike.
In the central operating theatre of Faro Hospital, of the 10 nurses who should be working, four are on strike, and at the Southern Rehabilitation Centre, there is 100% support.
Protest Outside Faro Hospital
Nurses gathered outside the Faro Hospital to demonstrate their protest. A lot of nurses attended this protest. Two banners were held at the venue which read “1,000 nurses missing in Algarve”. This way, the pressure will be mounted on the authorities to resolve the issue. The banners had been painted with hands. This symbolizes the missing nurses in the area.
The protest started on Thursday, 22nd of August, and will run for two days. Today is the last day of protest by the nurses. The strike was led by the Portuguese Nurses Union in Algarve. The Local unit health in the Algarve led all the demonstrations. This local unit has jurisdiction over hospitals in Faro, Portimão, and Lagos. It also represents the health centers in the area.
Demand For Overtime Pay At Hourly Rate
It is demanded that not only pay is an issue in hospitals, but a better working condition is also required. The nurses in the Algarve are working under below-par conditions within hospitals. Both the hospital care and the health centers should be improved for nurses. Nurses are a crucial element of the health sector. Their working conditions demand immediate action to be taken.
Some nurses work overtime even on public holidays. The hospitals cannot be closed on holidays, so nurses have duties when everyone else is enjoying the holiday. They demand to pay them for overtime during public holidays. This payment should be an hourly rate because the public holiday cannot be treated like a normal day. The union has strictly demanded action from the administration and the government. Nurses should be looked after like they take care of their patients in hospitals.
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