Krajci: Health Minister Sasko Has Done Nothing in Terms of Nurses' Bonus

Bratislava, 9 February (TASR) - Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD) has done nothing to make sure that a stabilisation allowance for nurses isn't subject to payroll taxes, opposition MP and former health minister (2020-21) Marek Krajci ('Slovakia'– 'For the People' caucus) told a press conference on Monday, suggesting that the bonus should be addressed via a legislative rider along with an amendment to the Banking Act as the only possible way to guarantee its payment to nurses at least for February. He warned that nurses might start leaving their jobs if the bonus isn't paid, and he blamed the government for not applying a short-track legislative procedure as a much cleaner approach than a rider. "Despite making a public pledge, minister Kamil Sasko has done nothing. No legislation has been implemented, no legislative framework, not even methodological guidance to define the rules for employers on how to finance and pay the bonus. Therefore, given the absence of any rules, we have information ... that the announced stabilisation allowance won't be paid with January salaries as originally announced," stated Krajci. He also criticised Sasko for failing to meet the legal deadline of January 15 for signing the ministry's programme decree [defining the financing thresholds for health-insurance companies - ed. note]. "This entire regulatory tool of the ministry is losing its teeth and is legally very difficult to enforce ... Yet another minister has failed in this, another minister who allows health-insurers to decide on the flows in the health-care sector," said Krajci. In January, Krajci criticised how the bonus for nurses has been set up, pointing to the programme decree under which the bonus would be paid as part of regular salaries, which means that it would be subject to payroll taxes. In practice, nurses would receive €127 net from the announced bonus of €250, stated Krajci, claiming that they've been deceived by the minister. In response, the health ministry stated that the bonus is still being addressed and that a consensual solution will be adopted. jrg/df