Nurses’ unions protested in Helsinki when the controversial bill advanced to the parliament | News
The Parliament’s Constitutional Law Committee gave the green light to the Patient Safety Act on Friday morning.
Nurse unions Tehy and SuPer organized a large protest in the center of Helsinki on Friday controversial bill If enacted, nurses may have to work even during strikes.
“The right to strike is a fundamental right. Nurses also have the right to express their opinion by striking,” SuPer chairman Silja Paavola told Yle, the march started outside the Oodi library in the center of Helsinki.
Bill, called Patient Safety Actwas given the green light by Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Rules of Procedure and Institutional Affairs on Friday morning, which means that the bill is considered constitutional and can be passed in the normal legislative process.
The Social and Health Committee of the Parliament approved it in the afternoon – with minor changes – which means that the bill will be discussed in the extraordinary plenary session of the Parliament later on Friday.
The bill had previously caused friction In Finland’s five-party coalition government with the prime minister Sanna Marin (SDP) called for unity earlier this week after the Left Alliance threatened to vote against the proposed law change.
However, media reports on Friday afternoon suggest that the two sides have now found an agreement.
Friday’s protest was also part of the unions’ ongoing demand for better health care wages and working conditions. According to the police’s estimate, around 600 people participated in the event.
Similar marches were also organized in Tampere and Rovaniemi, while healthcare workers traveled from Lahti and Turku to take part in the capital’s demonstration.
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