Pristina - Kosovo medical workers launched a 24-hour strike Monday morning to back their demand for better pay after rejecting an offer for a one-off financial boost. The health labour union, representing more than 7,000 doctors, nurses and other personnel, shrugged off a government proposal of a 44-euro (60 dollars) bonus for all, but over three months only.
"We refused because that had nothing to do with increasing wages - it was only for next three months," labour representative Asllan Bajrami told reporters. He said the proposal may have been considered had it included a permanent raise.
The union warned of more stoppages, promising to stand by its demands until they are met.
Kosovo doctors earn 250 euros on the average and work in a disregarded, decrepit sector. Amid low wages and horrible conditions in state-run hospitals, corruption is widespread.
Many doctors work in state hospitals in the morning, mostly only to direct patients to private clinics, where they receive them in the afternoon for a fee.
Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia eight months ago, is plagued by poverty - the average wage is 220 euros, but amid an unemployment rate overshooting 35 per cent.
