Nurses seek higher salaries, better benefits
12:05
Marian Zembala, the Minister of Health, met with representatives of the OZZPiP (Polish Nurses and Midwives Association) on Tuesday to discuss working conditions and salaries. Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz was also present at the meeting
Lucyna Dargiewicz, the president of OZZPiP, told Polskie Radio that there is hope of a compromise. Both sides agreed on Tuesday that it would be possible to include nurses in the benefit system of the NFZ (National Health Fund). The question of salary increases has also been accepted by both sides, though Dargiewicz expressed concern that the government might not be on the same page in terms of the amount.
“The increase should not be used as an appeasement, it should be a concrete solution to a specific problem. We are asking for PLN 1,500 and that is what we will fight for” explained Dargiewicz.
The main goal, according to Dargiewicz is keeping nurses in the field. Nurses and midwives are paid so little that few women follow this career path, and those who are still working, emigrate. “In five years, our society may lose the majority of its nurses if we do not act now to the incentive of our workers.”
