Doctors' strike continues

[NewsWhore]

Attendance at public sector hospitals was minimal yesterday as doctors entered into the last day of their latest three-day strike. Dominican Medical Association (CMD) president Waldo Ariel Suero said that even if the government doesn't have the money to pay for a wage increase the CMD will continue striking until they meet their objectives. Judging by yesterday's comments from Minister of Economy, Planning and Development Temistocles Montas, these strikes may continue for some time. Quoted in Hoy, Montas said there is not even the slightest chance that doctors will get a pay raise. He added that if the doctors didn't receive a pay raise when the 2009 budget was being drawn up it is impossible for them to get the pay raise now, as the government's revenues have dropped significantly. He says the country is going through a crisis that limits the government's ability to pay the doctors higher wages. Hoy reports that the only doctors providing services include those employed by the armed forces, as they are not allowed to go on strike. Some hospitals, including Padre Billini and Luis Aybar, closed their doors to the public.

More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#8)