Akel conditions support for non-EU nurse bills on collective agreements at private hospitals

Nicosia, Cyprus. Akel will not back legislation enabling the recruitment of nurses from non-EU countries unless private hospitals conclude collective agreements with their employees, MP Marina Nikolaou told the House health committee on Thursday. She said her party would also vote down any government amendment that undermined the rights or pay of nurses.

Akel’s position

Nikolaou said collective agreements could keep wages within safe limits. She told the hospitals: “Since you refuse to implement collective agreements, which could keep wages within certain safe limits, then from us it is ‘no’.”

Related: Nursing unions say collective agreements for nurses, including foreign recruits, are non-negotiable

RelatedNursing unions say collective agreements for nurses, including foreign recruits, are non-negotiable

Committee chairwoman sees no compromise

Committee chairwoman Savia Orphanidou of Disy also addressed the private hospitals. She said she saw no way of bringing the differing views together, and described collective agreements as the point beyond which she would not move. In her words: “I do not see how it can proceed without collective agreements, for me this is the red line.”

Disy and Diko views

Disy MP George Pamboridis said hospitals would be unable to find the staff they want unless they offer pay sufficient to attract back some 1,300 nurses who have left the profession. He argued that only the market can impose collective agreements, and that it is signalling that pay is too low.

Pamboridis backed the stricter language requirement. He said he disliked applying different standards to nurses than those required of doctors.

Diko MP Andreas Apostolou said the law cannot compel anyone to sign an agreement.

The bills before the committee

The committee is examining two bills. One raises the level of Greek required of nurses and midwives. The other removes a provision that conflicts with other legislation and has prevented nurses and midwives from third countries from applying to enter the professional register.