Greek hospital workers downed tools Friday to protest against health sector reforms being carried out as part of the country’s international bailout deal.
Hundreds of nurses and doctors from hospitals across the country stopped work for four hours and some marched from the health ministry to the parliament.
They were protesting government moves to turn eight hospitals — five in Athens and three in Thessaloniki — into health centres, a plan that will involve the loss of 1,618 jobs.
The Greek government intends to shut some hospitals completely and turn others into day centres. It is also getting rid of around 2,500 employees.
The health care workers are included in the 12,500 state employees placed in the September mobility scheme, which includes members of municipal police forces and teachers.
Greece will also lay off another 15,000 public sector workers outright by the end of 2014.
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