NICARAGUA: Health workers join strike

On January 31, 20,000 health workers joined a strike by doctors seeking higher pay. More than 3000 members of the Medicos Pro Salario physicians' guild have been on strike since November 14. The Health Workers Federation (Fetsalud), which covers nurses, orderlies, laboratory specialists, administrative staff and other health workers, has called for a wage increase, progress on collective bargaining negotiations and more funding for medicines. The government claims it can't afford the salary increases, because if it exceeds the spending cap imposed by the IMF, Nicaragua will not have access to IMF credit and loans.

From Green Left Weekly, February 8, 2006.

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From GLW issue 655