Europe’s nurses and other health workers raise their voice on the consequences of the pandemic

European nurses and other health workers have told Euronews television that “they are still suffering from the chaos of working through the COVID-19”.

The in-depth story features comments from a number of National Nurses Associations as well and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and points to the critical need for investment now. They express their profound concerns about the state of our health systems amplified by the COVID Effect, especially around shortages, safety and lack of investment including fair pay. The story concludes that: “The combination of pandemic exhaustion, the rising cost of living and difficult working conditions is pushing healthcare workers to the edge, many of whom feel undervalued and underpaid.”

See the full story and video here

ICN continues to monitor concerning increases in strikes, disputes and industrial action around the world, and at the request of our associations has written to governments, most recently the UK and Zimbabwe, urging them to negotiate and support fair pay and decent working conditions for nurses.

ICN has a position statement on industrial action which you can find here

Download the communique here