Croatian Institute of Emergency Medicine Urges Comprehensive Solutions for Staff Amid Protests

Strategic Insights -

The Croatian Institute of Emergency Medicine (HZHM) has appealed for comprehensive, legally based solutions to address the demands of its staff, who are staging protests in Zagreb to press for better working conditions and the reinstatement of early retirement benefits. The trade union and association behind the protests are demanding the return of extended service rights, the adoption of a law on emergency medical services, and the dismissal of HZHM Director Maja Grba Bujevic. HZHM has emphasized that it has no authority to decide on early retirement benefits, which are regulated by the Act on Extended Insurance Service, and can only be initiated by unions or employers with expert documentation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Croatian Institute of Emergency Medicine (HZHM) has urged comprehensive, legally based solutions to address the demands of its staff.
  • The "Emergency Live 194" Association and a trade union of employees in the emergency medicine sector are staging a demonstration in early October to press for better working conditions and the reinstatement of early retirement benefits.
  • HZHM has no authority to decide on early retirement benefits, which are regulated by the Act on Extended Insurance Service, and can only be initiated by unions or employers with expert documentation.
  • HZHM has already approached the Labour Ministry in 2014 to seek recognition of early retirement rights for emergency staff and organized training in 2015 to help unions prepare the necessary paperwork.
  • In 2023, HZHM representatives joined a Health Ministry working group on drafting a law covering emergency medicine and medical transport, and collected data with the Croatian Professional Union of Nurses and Medical Technicians for documentation supporting claims by emergency nurses.
  • HZHM is committed to strengthening emergency medical services through dialogue and respect for the law.

Statistics:

  • The number of staff in the emergency medicine sector participating in the protest is not specified in the Hina report.
  • 2014: HZHM approached the Labour Ministry to seek recognition of early retirement rights for emergency staff.
  • 2015: HZHM organized training to help unions prepare the necessary paperwork.
  • 2023: HZHM representatives joined a Health Ministry working group on drafting a law covering emergency medicine and medical transport.

Sources:

  • Hina, Zagreb, September 4 (Hina)