Hospital workers go on strike

HOSPITAL cleaners staged an impromptu 24-hour strike on Friday in protest against severe understaffing that affected patient care and raised the risk of the spread of infectious diseases.

The strike affected the general and Makarios hospitals in Nicosia, and general hospitals in Paphos and Limassol.

The action included cleaners, ward assistants and laundry services.

Workers said they would not become accomplices to the unacceptable and continuous downgrading of state hospitals.

Workers want vacant positions to be filled in all hospitals either by recruiting or through transfers from other departments. A third option would be to hire seasonal staff, the unions said.

The Health ministry expressed regret over the strike and any inconvenience it may have caused to patients.

The ministry said the strike was unjustified as solutions were in the pipeline.

The Finance ministry has already approved hiring staff to fill vacant positions as per the terms of the bailout – one for every four retirements, a statement said.

Efforts were also underway to transfer seasonal staff from other departments, the ministry added.

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