Strike continues , health workers deny political agenda

REMARKS made by President Ricardo Martinelli on Wednesday, October 2,  have hardened the stance of the leaders of striking medical staff who said, soon after,that the stoppage will continue.

Domingo Moren President of the Comenenal, (Medical negotiating committee) said  that the unions "are not interested wage incentives. We want to seek a solution using Panamanian human resources.

"I think everyone has been waiting for the words of the President, and his expected reaction , but the strike continues because our position is the repeal of the law."
Elidya Espinosa, president of the Nurses Association of Panama, said that "behind the nurses there no political position or any political party," referring to the President's statements which claimed that the strike "has political overtones ".
She added that "these are arguments of the government to convince Panamanian citizens that this is a political movement and not for the defense of the health Panamanian people."
Carlos Peralta, president of the National Association of Practitioners, Nursing Assistants and Technicians, said they will continue with the indefinite strike that was declared by the union on Friday.
Th strike is against a law allowing foreign doctors into Panama.