Peru’s doctors’ union has called for a nationwide strike on July 11 and 12, over wage disputes.

Cesar Palomino, head of the Peruvian Medical Federation, announced the measure on Wednesday morning.

Palomino argued that some of the country’s physicians in the public sector only earn 850 soles a month, Peru21 reported.

He added that wages should be increased to 7,200 soles for doctors on the first pay level, and 14 thousand for those on the fifth level, which includes doctors who have completed 30 years of work.

"We ask for decency for our attention and our work," Palomino was quoted as saying by Peru21.

Palomino said a group of doctors would march to Congress to deliver a list of demands, and said the union would go on strike in July if they were not met.

The group, he said, has had talks with Prime Minister Oscar Valdes and Minister of Health Alberto Tejada.

However, he said negotiations with Minister of Finance Luis Miguel Castilla were still pending.

“[Castilla] is a cold man with the social sector,” Palomino said.

 

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