$9 billion pay raises for frontline healthcare workers in France
Author: Sarah Akomanyi | Sunday 19th July 2020
For all the hard work frontline workers have been doing during the coronavirus pandemic, France will be spending $9 billion to help with pay rises. This is said to be a “historic moment for our health system.”
A deal was signed with Health Minister Olivier Véran and trade leaders on Monday, after seven weeks of negotiations.
For doctors, around $512 million will be used to support them, as well as the rest of the financial support will cover the pay of nurses, care workers, and non-medical staff.
"This is first of all recognition of those who have been on the front line in the fight against this epidemic," Castex said according to the Independent. "It is also a way of catching up for years of delay, for which each and everyone – including perhaps myself – has their share of responsibility."
This is good news for people who have worked in healthcare during this tough time. But there are people out there like unions who call this a “sham deal.”
It is said that protests were held by French health workers on Bastille Day (July 14th), where people were demanding better pay, working conditions, and hospital funding.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Tedros Adhanom, the director of the World Health Organization attended the Bastille Day celebrations.
Additionally, France has recorded over 209,000 coronavirus cases with more than 30,000 deaths as of Tuesday.
