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Estonia's Doctors Threaten Strike Over Wages Amid 'Toxic' Hospital Environment

Poor working conditions and low wages are pushing Estonian doctors to private sectors. Now, the Doctors' Union threatens a strike, but the Patients' Union head questions the need for higher pay.

In the picture we can see inside view of the hospital with beds and patients on it and between the...
In the picture we can see inside view of the hospital with beds and patients on it and between the beds we can see saline bottles to the stand and a woman standing wearing a bag near the patient.

Estonia's Doctors Threaten Strike Over Wages Amid 'Toxic' Hospital Environment

The Doctors' Union in Estonia is considering strike action over wage demands, with Annika Oya, head of the Estonian Patients' Union, warning of a toxic work environment in large hospitals driving doctors to private organisations. Oya has previously criticised planned salary increases for medical staff.

Annika Oya, leading the Estonian Patients' Union, has expressed concerns about the working conditions in large hospitals across Estonia. She describes the atmosphere as toxic, prompting many doctors to seek better opportunities in private organisations. This exodus, Oya believes, is due to the current wage levels, which she argues are not competitive enough to retain skilled professionals.

The Doctors' Union has now stepped forward, demanding higher wages. Annika Oya, however, has a differing view. She believes that Estonian doctors are already well-compensated and do not require the additional salary increase proposed by the Ministry of Health. The exact details of Oya's previous criticism of salary increases remain unclear, as the specific month or context could not be identified.

The wage dispute between the Doctors' Union and the Ministry of Health is ongoing, with the threat of strikes looming. Annika Oya, while acknowledging the challenges in hospitals, questions the need for the proposed salary increase. The future of Estonia's medical workforce hangs in the balance as negotiations continue.

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