No Agreement In Sight Between Striking Doctors And State - Finance Minister alludes that the State might withdraw its earlier offers if strike action continues

Finance Minister alludes that the State might withdraw its earlier offers if strike action continues

Finance Minister Bjarni Benedkitsson says that the State’s negiation committee will not reach further towards doctors’ demands. This was reported by RÚV. Negotiations thus seem to have halted.

Medical doctors at State hospitals started strike actions in October and have announced more severe actions in 2015.

The Minister challenged doctors to reveal their demands to the public. “In these negotiations, we have offered raises that are a clear sign of our will to solve the disupte,” he said, adding that no group can claim raises far beyond others: “I think the demands that doctors made yesterday are beyond those borders and they will not be met. That would only be inviting more unrest and disputes in the labour market.”

Asked about the amounts or percentages involved, the Minister declined to answer and referred to doctors’ spokespeople: “It is time that doctors clarify which demands the State is not willing to gratify and are causing these extensive strike actions.”

The Minister further said that if strike actions continue, the State might not be able to afford its earlier offers and would reconsider.