Nicaraguan doctors have decided to continue their protest for another five months. The protest is directed against the low salaries for health workers who are demanding an increase in pay. No agreement has been achieved so far amongst the protesters and concerned officials. Medical Federation Leader Elio Artola blamed the failure on President Enrique Bolanos' attitude, but talks will continue Monday on the demand for an additional 13 percent raise.
Artola says the government refuses to go beyond 30 percent given a few days ago - 16.75 percent added to the first 13.25 percent grant to the Federation of Health Workers. The doctors make 200 to 500 dollar monthly salaries and they consider themselves the worst paid in the Latin American region.The protest affects 32 public hospitals and 3,000 medical staff members from the Medical Federation are only assisting emergencies.
Edited IANS
