As the National Health and Medical Workers' Union has announced a general strike on the 29th, the government has pledged to ensure that essential medical services such as emergency and critical care are not disrupted.
The Central Accident Response Headquarters for the doctors' collective action held a meeting on the 25th chaired by Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong and stated, "The government plans to continuously monitor the normal operation of essential maintenance tasks in cooperation with local governments and ensure that there are no disruptions in essential medical services such as emergency and critical care."
According to the Central Accident Response Headquarters, if no adjustment is made by the 28th following the decision for a general strike, it is expected that 61 out of the 62 workplaces that applied for labor dispute mediation will participate in the strike. The headquarters emphasized, "According to the 'Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act,' even if participating in the strike, essential maintenance tasks such as emergency rooms, intensive care units, and surgeries must continue to operate."
The headquarters also stated that if the strike situation materializes, they will maintain a 24-hour emergency medical system at emergency centers and conduct emergency medical services mainly at public medical institutions not participating in the strike. Additionally, medical institutions expected to experience treatment disruptions due to the strike will provide guidance through call centers or local governments.
Head of the headquarters Cho Kyu-hong appealed, "While understanding the union's concerns and difficulties, considering the anxiety and suffering of patients and the public if the strike occurs amid the departure of residents, I earnestly request resolving the issues through active dialogue and consultation with employers rather than collective actions such as strikes."
He also expressed gratitude, saying, "Despite the challenging situation with the departure of residents entering its sixth month and the increase in COVID-19 cases, I thank all health and medical workers who are silently dedicating themselves in the medical field." He added, "We will actively promote the enactment of the Nurse Act to further strengthen support for nurses and other health workers, and strive for institutional improvements by preparing government measures to improve the treatment of health and medical personnel."
Meanwhile, the Health and Medical Workers' Union announced that a strike was approved with a 91% approval rate in a vote on collective action conducted from the 19th to the 23rd at 61 hospital workplaces. If negotiations with management fail, they plan to commence a simultaneous strike starting at 7 a.m. on the 29th.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
