Doctors’ unions and the government did not reach an agreement at a meeting this Thursday and will meet again next Tuesday, the Independent Union of Doctors (SIM) said, which nevertheless records an “evolution” in the guardianship proposal.
SIM Secretary-General Jorge Roque da Cunha, leaving a meeting at the Health Ministry in Lisbon, said the government had proposed increasing the amount paid to doctors per hour, but this was still far from the demand for health services. an increase of 15%, which already represents a “compromise” with respect to the original requirements.
The unions, which were due to hold their last meeting with the watchdog this Thursday, will meet again with the Ministry of Health next Tuesday, a day before the final vote on the 2024 state budget.
The meeting comes after the November 8 round of talks was canceled due to the resignation of the prime minister.
Negotiations have been going on for 19 months, with the National Federation of Doctors (FNAM) demanding a 30% increase, a 35-hour weekly schedule, 12 hours of emergency care and an update to the base salary that would restore purchasing power to the treble level. level for all doctors.
SIM accepted at its meeting this Thursday a proposal for an increase of 15%, which is a compromise from the previously required 30%.
The government is offering a bonus of €500 per month for doctors providing emergency care and the option to choose 35 hours per week.
The proposal equalizes the basic salary of doctors (€3,025), representing an increase of 5.5% compared to the 3.6% presented in the last proposal, which was opposed by unions.