Asonaen rejects extension of working hours for nursing staff and warns of a strike

Santo Domingo.– The National Association of Nursing (Asonaen) rejected the decision to extend the working hours of nursing staff providing services in Diagnostic Centers and First Level Centers (CPN), considering that the measure was adopted without consultation with the unions and violates the acquired rights of the workers.

They addressed the authorities of the National Health Service (SNS), the organization called for the installation of a negotiation table to discuss the provision and warned that, if it is not rendered ineffective in the coming days, it will call for a strike of services.

“We are opposed to that extension of this staff’s schedule from Monday to Sunday without any basis and without having consulted the unions that represent the nursing staff. We are not going to allow the labor rights of our class to be disrespected,” the entity expressed.

Asonaen maintained that it has always supported initiatives to improve care for the population, but stated that this goal must be achieved by guaranteeing decent working conditions for nursing staff and respecting the processes of dialogue and negotiation.

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The organization also expressed concern about the impact that extending the workday would have, noting that it would force nurses to work from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 or 8:00 p.m., even in centers located in hard-to-reach communities.

“We are not going to expose our colleagues to being victims of robberies or any other situation that puts their lives at risk by returning to their homes at night,” the union warned, noting that many workers must travel long distances to reach their workplaces.

Finally, Asonaen reiterated its willingness to engage in dialogue and seek consensus-based solutions, although it made it clear that it will “firmly” defend the rights of nursing staff and will not allow the imposition of extended hours or work schedules from Monday to Sunday which, in its view, affect the labor conditions that have been achieved.