Compensation Rebellion from Girit PAGNI Hospital Workers: 19.000 Euro for 7 Workers is a No, But Yes for Contractors

The Workers' Association of the Iraklio University General Hospital (PAGNI) in Girit has launched a harsh accusation campaign against the hospital management. According to the association, the management is intentionally obstructing and delaying the legal rights of contracted personnel. It is claimed that the payment of legally deserved compensation for unused annual leaves before the expiration of contracts is being avoided. This attitude of the management has caused great anger among healthcare workers who expend effort under intense working conditions at the hospital. The workers describe the situation as 'labor enslavement' and a process of extreme exploitation.

In the event that contracted personnel's contracts expire without them being able to use their annual leave, the relevant legislation grants them the right to receive a 25% increased payment. However, the hospital management resists making these payments by putting forward various bureaucratic obstacles. In the statement made by the association, it was noted that large sums of money are transferred to military equipment, external contractors, and quality certification companies. Despite this, it was emphasized that the 19.000 euro, which is the accumulated leave right of seven workers, is being withheld. This situation is presented as a serious contradiction and injustice in the allocation of resources within the hospital.

According to the workers' reports, the management intentionally operates arbitrary processes to ensure that rights claims expire. For example, approval documents are requested from clinical supervisors stating that leaves could not be used due to heavy workloads. Furthermore, documented requests are withdrawn from the board of directors on the grounds that they have been sent to the legal counsel. However, it is also claimed that the legal counsel has already expressed a verbal opinion on this matter. By encouraging workers to go to court, the management forces them to bear all legal and financial burdens on their own.

At the root of the accumulated leave problem lie the suspension of leaves during the pandemic period and the subsequent severe staff shortage. The staff inadequacy further victimizes healthcare workers who are made to work indefinitely for months or years to cover the deficits of the National Health System (ESY). One of the examples that makes the situation even more striking is the sudden termination of the employment of a resident doctor who had a 78-day annual leave balance. It is noted that despite requesting compensation since Şubat 2025, the doctor in question has still not received their right. Such concrete examples reveal how little the management values the labor of its workers.

The Workers' Association explicitly states that they will not back down from the sweat of healthcare workers and will not concede a single penny of their rights. Among the association's primary demands is the immediate payment of accumulated leave fees to all contracted personnel whose contracts have expired. In addition, it is requested that leave and weekend off-days be fully granted so that currently employed personnel can have adequate rest periods. The association demands that no contracted worker be dismissed and that all contracted personnel be unconditionally placed on the permanent staff. It is emphasized that permanent personnel must be urgently employed for the hospital to provide high-quality and uninterrupted healthcare services.