Helsinki - The Finnish parliament Friday approved a patient safety law aimed at blunting the impact of a mass resignation threat by 12,000 nurses over a wage dispute. The action was called by the Union of Health and Social Care Professionals (Tehy) that organizes nurses, midwives, dental assistants, medical laboratory technicians and physiotherapists.
The union in October said 12,000 nurses would hand in their notice - due to take effect November 20 - in protest over the lack of pay rises, and several health districts have prepared contingency plans to airlift some patients abroad.
The emergency law would allow employers to order nurses who have resigned to remain at work "in particular situations in which the life or health of patients is seriously endangered due to the shortage of staff caused by an industrial action," the government said.
The law was approved by a 113-68 vote while 18 members of the 200- seat legislature were absent.
Among the absentees was Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen who was admitted to hospital overnight over lower back pains, later attributed to kidney stones, the prime minister's office said.
