State Budget Surplus Won't Help Nurses' Wage Aims

The government said Tuesday that it does not plan to provide additional funds to help nurses reach their salary goals. The nearly 1.5 million euro budget surplus will be used to chip away at state debt, according to the government's supplementary budget proposal. By paying the debt, the government said it's preparing for rising retirement costs of Finland's ageing population, the increasing costs of healthcare, and the possibility of slower economic growth. The government debt will be reduced by 2.7 billion euros this year. It's estimated that the entire debt at the end of the year will stand at 56 billion euros, which is 31.5 percent of Finland's GDP. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health told the government how hospitals around the country are preparing for potential resignations by the Union of Health and Social Care Professionals (Tehy) members. Tehy announced on Monday that 12,800 healthcare workers are prepared to resign on November 19, if wage demands are not met. On Tuesday, provincial governments will discuss how the potential mass resignation will affect different regions. They also will determine how employers can prepare for the action and ensure patient safety. YLE