"Opposition to the Enactment of the Nursing Act" 2nd Strike by Health and Medical Workers... Some Shortened Consultations

Healthcare professional organizations opposing the enactment of the Nursing Act launched their second collective leave strike on the 11th. Although some patients experienced inconvenience due to partial work stoppages and shortened consultations by dentists and doctors, there was generally no major disruption.

On the afternoon of the 11th, participants shouted slogans at the nationwide second general strike rally for the abolition of the Nursing Act and License Revocation Act held near the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Health and Welfare Medical Solidarity, consisting of 13 healthcare professional organizations including the Korean Medical Association and the Korean Licensed Practical Nurses Association, carried out simultaneous collective leave strikes in 15 regions nationwide following their first strike on the 3rd. In Seoul, the event was held in front of Yeouido National Assembly Station.

The strike involved members taking collective leave or shortening their working hours and participating in rallies held across the country in the afternoon. Notably, dentists joined the second strike in large numbers. The Korean Dental Association decided at its general assembly to close for one day, leading some dental clinics to shut their doors in solidarity. Patients who visited these clinics unaware of the closure had to turn away. However, since the participation rate in work stoppages was not very high, the perceived inconvenience was minimal.

On the 11th, a dental clinic in downtown Seoul posted a notice of closure. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Medical Solidarity estimated the number of participants on this day to be around 40,000. Previously, the first strike was estimated to have involved 20,000 people, including 10,000 licensed practical nurses, so the scale has increased. The number of licensed practical nurses participating in the collective leave strike rose to 20,000, and participation continued from other professions such as care workers, radiologists, health information managers, emergency medical technicians, clinical pathologists, as well as university students.

The Medical Solidarity also continued relay fasting protests and one-person demonstrations. Kang Yong-su, president of the Korean Emergency Medical Technicians Association, who took part in the fasting protest that day, said, "We will fight against the harmful medical legislation until the end," adding, "Since the abnormal process of pushing the harmful medical legislation is being restored to normal, I hope it will be properly concluded."

On the other hand, the nursing community held counter rallies and fasting protests, demanding the prompt promulgation of the law. Kim Young-kyung, president of the Korean Nurses Association, along with four other representatives, began a fasting sit-in on the 9th, and the 'National Movement Headquarters for the Promotion of the Nursing Act' plans to hold a large-scale event on the 12th in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, to commemorate International Nurses Day and urge the enactment of the Nursing Act.