French hospital union calls for indefinite strike

By Timo Kiraz

GENEVA (AA) - France's second-largest public sector hospital union has called for an indefinite strike starting on Jan. 10, 2023.

On its website, FO-Sante called for "a radical change in health policy" and blames "government inertia" that has "only accelerated the closure of beds and departments."

As a solution to the "overcrowded emergency rooms," the "recurring shortage of doctors" and the "great suffering" in psychiatry – among other complaints – the union is calling for no less than "200,000 new hires in the health, social and medico-social sectors."

With the announced strike in hospitals, France is threatened with a second labor dispute in the new year.

Since Dec. 26, general practitioners in France have also been on strike. The doctors are demanding a doubling of their fees and an improvement in their working conditions.