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 | | Thursday, 24 January, 2002, 11:21 GMT French doctors edge towards deal  Patients have had to fall back on the emergency services Striking French health workers have moved a step closer to an agreement with the government over pay and conditions, after the country's social security fund signed a deal with one of the unions. The fund and the MG France union reached an accord on a 330-million euro package of measures after 13 hours of overnight talks, hailed by Employment Minister Elisabeth Guigou as a "significant agreement". But MG France, which represents doctors, is a not the largest union involved in the strike. The main UNOF group boycotted the talks. French doctors and nurses have staged a series of protests this week after months of growing discontent and occasional episodes of industrial action. On Wednesday the protests culminated with a strike by thousands of general practitioners, who are demanding an increase in their fees for consultations and health visits. Strained services The "day without doctors" is reported to have been supported by about 75% of general practitioners, and some regions reported up to 90% participation in the strike.
Hospital workers also took action on Monday over their complaint that not enough extra staff have been hired to cope with France's 35-hour working week legislation. The strikes have put enormous strain on the remaining health services. "The emergency services have been deluged with phone calls, which was to be expected," said Patrick Pelloux, president of the association of French emergency hospital doctors. Popular backing The BBC's James Coomarasamy says that the strikes have placed great pressure on Lionel Jospin's government. Mr Jospin is expected to run for the presidency in April and a drawn-out strike could prove politically damaging. The health workers' actions have met with extensive public support. Television images of exhausted hospital staff, and patients left for hours in waiting rooms and corridors, have shocked the country. | | See also:  Internet links: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top Europe stories now:  Links to more Europe stories are at the foot of the page. | |
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