The FP Cgil Lombardia criticizes the operational protocol for forced mobility and recalls the importance of the strike on 29 November to defend public work and citizenship rights
25 nov. 2024 – Inail is facing a serious shortage of doctors in its local offices which risks compromising the provision of health services by the institution. For this reason, last November 13th he issued a “Operational protocol”experimental and of annual duration (possibly renewable), active from December 1st, to support locations in difficulty. The document was not signed by FP Cgil Lombardia and we ask him to account for it Silvio Etrusco, regional coordinator.
Shall we start from the contents of the Protocol?
“The protocol includes two phases: one voluntary and one mandatory, and it is this second that we contest as a trade union organisation, as we also reiterated yesterday at the meeting with the Regional Management – replies the trade unionist -. The first phase, the voluntary one, is on a regional and then national basis. On a regional basis, an extraordinary call for direct recruitment is envisaged aimed at outpatient specialists, including pensioners, in forensic or occupational medicine or hygiene and public health, for a fixed term, and for the time needed by the uncovered structures. In the meantime, or in the case of a lack of positive responses, a regional consultation is carried out aimed at all permanent doctors in the region in which the deficient Inail office is located, with priority given to the health workers of the Regional Health Superintendence. If these measures do not cover needs – continues Etrusco – then a national request would be activated for medical managers available to temporarily support the offices”.
The second phase?
“In the event of failure of voluntary recruitment, the Regional Director, in agreement with the Regional Superintendence, will assign doctors respecting the strength-staff ratio (minimum 50% coverage in the places of origin). If this is not enough, measures will be taken at central level to assign doctors from other regions”.
How many accesses to the deficient Inail offices must medical personnel guarantee and under what conditions?
“With voluntary recruitment there is a maximum of 30 accesses per year, with mandatory 20 per year. Doctors, on paper, are sent on missions with an equal rotation criterion, have travel reimbursement with their own transport and can stay overnight in the destination city. Travel time will be counted as excess hours. It should be specified – adds Etrusco – that doctors with disabilities are excluded from the recruitment (law 104/1992), or who are parents of children under the age of 3, even cohabiting, or 13 years old, if not cohabiting with the other parent” .
Why doesn’t the protocol convince the FP Cgil?
“For forced mobility, precisely, which is an inadequate solution, as it shifts the problem of staff shortages from one Inail office to another. In Lombardy the shortage of doctors has reached alarming levels, with Bergamo recording the most serious shortage, equal to 50% – considers the regional coordinator Fp Cgil -. Furthermore, forced mobility, with journeys of up to 10 hours in our region, creates discomfort for doctors, especially for female workers with family responsibilities. This measure risks causing us to lose more staff.”
In what sense?
“A fundamental problem is the lack of attractiveness of INAIL which offers less attractive salaries and working conditions than the National Health Service or INPS, whose competition announced for 1000 doctors will undoubtedly attract many professionals. We therefore fear that this operational protocol, which presents itself as a stopgap solution, could instead worsen the situation. In short, the classic patch that is worse than the hole.”
So?
“As FP Cgil we ask for new hires and therefore urge the administration to announce new competitions to hire medical staff. We also asked for clarification on the application of the protocol because we want to guarantee the protection of workers. The next meeting is in a couple of weeks and we will decide what to do there.”
Etrusco is joined by the secretary of the FP Cgil Lombardia, with responsibility for Central Functions, Dino Pusceddu.
“The INAIL situation concerns almost all public offices. The Central Functions are the backbone of the State, the engine that guarantees rights, services and legality. Yet, for too many years, its workers have been forgotten – claims the union leader -. The phase is decidedly complicated. At the table for the contract renewal the conditions were not given to allow negotiations to be developed but the hypothesis of the contract was reached without the FP CGIL, and with a very narrow majority. The CGIL has decided to oppose a contract that contains an economic proposal that is decidedly lower than the inflation of the three-year period 2022-2024 and a text that, precisely due to the scarcity of resources, does not give any response in terms of valorisation of professionalism: a step behind the results achieved with the previous contract. Furthermore, in the budget law – continues Pusceddu – we do not invest in these services but reintroduce a partial freeze on hiring, so staff shortages become increasingly severe and operating conditions increasingly precarious. Also for this reason – he insists – the general strike of November 29th is a necessary response and participating is an act of responsibility. We cannot accept that public work is emptied of its value and role, to protect the rights of citizens and those of workers”.
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**How does the mandatory doctor reassignment outlined in the “Operational Protocol” contradict the FP Cgil’s stance on worker rights and autonomy, particularly regarding female workers who may face significant personal sacrifices due to forced relocation?**
## Interview: Inail Doctor Shortage and the Fight for Public Services
**Guests:**
* **Silvio Etrusco:** Regional Coordinator, FP Cgil Lombardia
* **Dino Pusceddu:** Secretary, FP Cgil Lombardia, Central Functions
**Moderator:**
Thank you both for joining us today to discuss the concerning situation at Inail and the wider implications for public services. Let’s dive right in.
**Section 1: The Inail Doctor Shortage Crisis**
* **Moderator:** Mr. Etrusco, the article outlines a dire shortage of doctors within Inail, particularly in Lombardy. Could you elaborate on the extent of this shortage and its impact on Inail’s ability to provide adequate healthcare services?
* **Moderator:** The ”Operational Protocol” aims to address this shortage through voluntary and, controversially, mandatory doctor reassignment. Can you explain the FP Cgil’s opposition to forced mobility? What are the specific concerns for doctors, especially female workers, who might face these lengthy relocations?
* **Moderator:** The article mentions that Inail faces competition from institutions like the National Health Service and INPS in attracting doctors. What steps should Inail take to become a more attractive employer and retain its valuable medical staff?
**Section 2: Impact on Public Services and Worker Rights**
* **Moderator:** Mr. Pusceddu, this doctor shortage extends beyond Inail and reflects a broader trend affecting public institutions. How do these staffing issues threaten the quality and accessibility of essential public services nationwide?
* **Moderator:** The article mentions the upcoming strike on November 29th. Can you explain the FP Cgil’s reasons for calling this strike and what you hope to achieve through this action?
* **Moderator:** What message do you have for the general public regarding the importance of standing in solidarity with public workers and defending the value of public services?
* **Moderator:** Looking ahead, what are the long-term solutions needed to address these systemic issues within Inail and public institutions more broadly? What role should the government play in ensuring adequate funding and support for these vital services?
**Conclusion:**
* **Moderator:** Thank you both for sharing your insights. This is a critical issue that demands attention and action.
We hope this interview sheds light on the complex challenges facing Inail and the broader fight to protect public services and worker rights.
