After the “unilateral” decision of the Brussels University Hospital (HUB) to no longer pay the guards provided by the students, those mainly concerned are toughening their tone. According to a survey, highlighted in a joint press release from several student organizations, 93% of medical students are ready to suspend their guards at the HUB.
Around 300 students from the medical faculties of ULB and UMons are on call every month in the three HUB establishments (the Jules Bordet Institute, the Erasme hospital and the Queen Fabiola children’s university hospital). Until now, these guards were subject to a fee covering the mobility costs to get there. But since March, these guards have no longer been paid.
The system, which has been in place for many years, does not present itself as real remuneration, recalls RTBF, Belgian Radio and Television. “These are expenses which range from around thirty to around fifty euros depending on weekend care or weekday care.“, explains Elias Fariss, president of the Inter-University Committee of Medical Students, quoted by RTBF.
“An unacceptable organizational injustice”
In an email addressed to students, mentioned by RTBF, the HUB explains that this decision follows an inspection by the National Social Security Office (ONSS), having imposed compliance with the rules in force. But the ONSS, contacted by RTBF, denies having explicitly requested the elimination of the reimbursement.
“Requiring students to provide such a volume of on-call duty – free of charge – constitutes, in the eyes of the signatory organizations, an unacceptable organizational injustice, a blatant disregard, and a profound disrespect for the work of these future doctors”, we can read in the press release signed, in particular, by the Inter-University Committee of Medical Students (CIUM) and the Office of Student Administrators (BEA).
A strike notice has been filed and a general meeting will be held on April 13. Objective: “officially vote on the positions of the student movement and plan the modalities of concerted action”.
At the same time, the student organizations recall that they are “demanding a constructive, responsible and respectful dialogue about their work which remains essential in a chain of collaboration between the different caregivers”. But according to these organizations, “no contact has been established” with the management of the HUB and ULB.
[Avec RTBF et La Libre]Â
