Paris (AFP)

Seven weeks after the launch of "Ségur de la santé", government and majority unions signed on Monday a series of 8 billion euro agreements for hospital staff, described as "historic" by Matignon, despite criticism from some caregiver organizations.

Promised by Emmanuel Macron at the height of the Covid-19 crisis, this "massive" plan for the hospital and its agents constitutes "a historic moment for our health system," Prime Minister Jean Castex told after a signing ceremony in Matignon.

This effort "is first of all a considerable recognition for those who have been on the front line in the fight against this unprecedented, strong and lasting epidemic," said the head of government.

The "Ségur agreements", concluded after tens of hours of sometimes heated discussions with the unions, provide 7.5 billion for paramedics (nurses, nursing assistants) and other non-medical (technical, administrative agents ...) ).

This sum will be used mainly to finance a so-called "base" salary increase of 183 euros net monthly for all hospital and public nursing staff, but also new increases for overtime and night work.

Regarding doctors, 450 million were put on the table, mainly to revalue the compensation paid to practitioners working only in the public hospital. Interns and medical students will benefit from 200 million euros.

"There will be no loser, no trap. Everything will count for retirement, everything is sounding and stumbling," insisted the Minister of Health Olivier Véran, adding that these agreements would add "to the whole measures announced by (his) predecessors ".

- "Disagreements" and "compromises" -

In total, three unions in the hospital public service have agreed to sign the agreement on non-medical personnel: FO, CFDT and Unsa. The two other representative unions, SUD and the CGT, did not wish to validate the government's proposal.

"For now, the time is not to rejoice but to disappointment, disappointment all the greater as expectations were high," said in a statement the CGT, for whom Ségur "has not allowed to deal with all the problems. "

Regarding doctors, three majority unions have also given the green light: INPH, CMH and Snam-HP. The two other representative unions (APH and Young Doctors) denounced "incomprehensible" arbitrations.

This protocol "constitutes an advance, but it lacks too many elements for us to sign it", judged during a press conference Jacques Trevidic, president of the APH, which calls for a "second round of negotiations" , especially on working time.

Critics that Jean Castex said to take into account. "Some will say that the account is not there. Well, this augurs well for good days for social dialogue," said the Prime Minister, for whom "disagreements are part of democratic life".

The other three components of the "Health Ségur", relating to investment, governance and territorial organization, will be the subject of "very strong" announcements in the coming days, assured Mr. Véran.

These "Ségur agreements" occur on the eve of a tribute ceremony for caregivers organized as part of the July 14 festivities. An evening of thanks to the health personnel mobilized in front of the Covid is also scheduled for Monday evening at the Grand Palais, while the Paris Opera organizes two "solidarity" concerts Monday and Tuesday at the Palais Garnier, in "tribute to the dedication and courage of the nursing staff ".

Events in which the CGT, SUD or the Collective Inter-Hospitals have not planned to participate: with three other organizations, they called for a "day of action" on July 14, punctuated by a demonstration from the square of the Republic, in Paris.

© 2020 AFP