Unpaid yet again

The announcement by healthcare workers’ unions highlights the ongoing delay in the payment of wages for on-call shifts, overtime, and night work. As stated, by the end of March the Ministry of Health has still not proceeded with the disbursement of the necessary funds to pay for the additional work carried out in January, with estimates suggesting that payment will be postponed until mid-April.

According to the workers, this delay further worsens their financial situation at a time of increased cost of living, reduced earnings, and the absence of a 13th and 14th salary. It is pointed out that the failure to pay accrued wages on time is linked to a broader deterioration of working conditions in the public healthcare system and exacerbates staffing shortages.

It is noted that the lack of personnel leads to exceeding standard working hours, the accumulation of owed days off and leave, and increased work pressure—factors that discourage new hires and the retention of staff in the National Health System (ESY). At the same time, workers’ reactions have been recorded during visits by political leadership to hospitals and healthcare units.

The workers are calling for the immediate payment of outstanding wages, salary increases in line with the cost of living, the reinstatement of the 13th and 14th salaries, and improvements in working conditions. The announcement comes from the Unified Employees’ Union of Corfu General Hospital and the Psychiatric Sector Union.

GIORGOS KATSAITIS