France pledges more cash and debt relief for hospitals to quell unrest
(VOVWORLD) - Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on Wednesday that France will absorb more than 11 billion USD of public hospital debt in an emergency measure designed to end months of protests by doctors and nurses.
 French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe (Photo: Independent) |
Philippe promised an extra 1.7 billion USD over three years for hospitals, including an 870 USD bonus for 40,000 nurses and care-givers who earn less than 2100 USD per month.
The French government hopes the package will stave off further unrest by hospital staff as public anger mounts ahead of a nationwide strike over pension system reform.