Croatia🏛️ PoliticsProgressiveOverlooked by conservatives8/12/2026

Doctors are filing lawsuits: Overtime bills cost up to 400 euros a month

The article discusses concerns raised by the Croatian Medical Association (HLS) regarding the calculation of overtime pay for doctors in Croatia. The main issue is that the monthly 'work hour fund' used to calculate wages fluctuates based on the number of working days and holidays, leading to variations in the value of an hour of work. This results in some doctors earning between 300 to 400 euros less in months with fewer hours compared to others. HLS argues this violates the principle of equal pay for equal work and questions whether Croatian practices align with European Union labor regulations, which limit average weekly working time including overtime to 48 hours. The Ministry of Health claims the current system complies with the Law on Salaries and is applied consistently across public services. HLS also criticizes the Ministry’s recommendation to reduce shifts and increase preparedness, arguing that this approach does not adequately compensate doctors for their time. They highlight discrepancies between the law on salaries and the collective agreement governing preparation time, noting that the latter provides lower compensation for preparation hours.

The Croatian Medical Association (HLS) has demanded equal pay for medical work throughout the year and warned it will pursue legal action if no agreement is reached with the relevant ministries. The association claims that doctors working excessive hours can lose between 300 and 400 euros per month due to inconsistencies in how their hourly wage is calculated. This discrepancy arises because the monthly fund of working hours, used to determine the value of each hour, is affected by the number of working days and public holidays, which varies from month to month. In months such as July and August, which have fewer working days, the value of overtime hours drops significantly compared to months like February. According to HLS, this system undermines the principle of equal pay for equal work, as outlined in the Wages Act. The organization argues that the current method of calculating wages creates unfairness, especially for doctors who frequently work overtime. These professionals, often referred to as the backbone of the healthcare system, face reduced earnings during certain months despite performing the same amount of work. The association highlights that the monthly working hour fund should not be confused with weekly working time regulations. European Union rules limit average weekly working time, including overtime, to 48 hours and mandate mandatory rest periods. However, HLS states that in Croatia, the healthcare sector still evaluates doctors' work based on monthly funds, leading to weeks where they might work up to 60 or 70 hours, while other weeks see them working far less. This inconsistency raises concerns about compliance with EU labor laws regarding working time and rest. HLS further criticizes the Ministry of Health for advising hospital directors to reduce the number of shifts and increase standby duties to cut costs. While standby duty is intended to allow doctors to respond quickly to emergencies, the association points out that doctors are often called multiple times during a single standby period, even for non-emergency situations. This practice, according to HLS, could potentially be classified as working time under EU court rulings if it significantly restricts a worker's free time. Negotiations over the new Gran Collective Agreement have been paused for the summer and are set to resume in September. HLS says it has sought resolution of these issues for nearly two years, and since the start of negotiations on the new collective agreement last December, the question of hourly wage calculation has repeatedly come up. The association demands that the value of each hour of work remain consistent throughout the year, adherence to EU working time and rest regulations, and alignment of standby pay calculations with the Wages Act. If no agreement is reached, HLS has announced its intention to take legal action and possibly approach the European Commission, citing alleged non-compliance with EU law. The association has also prepared preliminary financial estimates of the potential cost of new legal proceedings for the state, though it has chosen not to disclose them publicly. The Ministry of Health maintains that the current wage calculation method aligns with the Wages Act and is applied similarly in other public services. It asserts that the way material rights are paid is clearly defined by law and that alternative methods would be illegal. According to the ministry, from 2014 to March 2020, based on binding court decisions and settlements, over 120 million euros had already been paid out for overtime work by doctors.

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Jutarnji listIndependentProgressiveFactual 97Objective 888/12/2026

Croatian doctors' union demands equal pay for doctors' work throughout the year

The Croatian Medical Association (HLS) is demanding changes to how the value of a doctor’s working hour is calculated throughout the year, citing inconsistencies and discrepancies in regulations. They argue that the monthly fund of working hours, which determines hourly pay, fluctuates based on the number of workdays and holidays, leading to unequal pay for doctors who work many overtime hours. In July and August, the monthly fund is 184 hours, meaning overtime hours are worth less compared to other months. This results in some doctors receiving between 300 to 400 euros less in certain months. The association highlights that this practice violates the principle of equal pay for equal work and raises concerns about compliance with European labor rules. The Ministry of Health claims the current system complies with the Law on Salaries and is similar to other public services. The HLS also criticizes the approach of reducing shifts and increasing preparedness, arguing that this leads to inconsistent workloads and potential violations of EU labor standards.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue as a systemic injustice within Croatia's healthcare sector, emphasizing the disparity in pay due to the flawed calculation method. It portrays the medical association as advocating for workers' rights and fairness, while the Ministry of Health is depicted as being out of

Why factuality (97): This article closely mirrors the content of article 0, providing identical details about the calculation method, the impact on doctors, and the reference to European labor laws. All numerical data and statements from HLS are consistent with the cross-source consensus. No new information is introduce

Why objectivity (88): The tone remains largely neutral, presenting both sides of the debate between HLS and the Ministry of Health. However, the repeated use of phrases such as 'ne postigne li dogovor' and 'najavljuje sudske postupke' slightly emphasizes the conflict, potentially leaning toward a more adversarial framing

tportalIndependentProgressiveFactual 95Objective 858/12/2026

Doctors are filing lawsuits: Overtime bills cost up to 400 euros a month

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue as a systemic flaw in the healthcare sector that disproportionately affects medical professionals, emphasizing inequality and potential violations of EU labor standards. It highlights the discrepancy between legal requirements and current practice, suggesting a lack of公正

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports the core issue regarding the calculation of overtime pay for doctors based on monthly working hours, citing specific figures like the 184-hour fund in July and August and potential losses of 300–400 euros. It also includes direct quotes from HLS president Renata Čulino

Why objectivity (85): The article presents the situation fairly neutrally, reporting both the position of the Ministry of Health and the concerns raised by HLS. However, there is some slight emphasis on the plight of overworked doctors through phrases like 'doslovno osiguravaju funkcioniranje zdravstvenog sustava,' which

HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija)State / PublicProgressiveFactual 94Objective 878/12/2026

HLS is seeking equal pay for physician services for the year, not ruling out lawsuits.

The Hrvatski Liječnički Sindikat (HLS), representing Croatian doctors, has raised concerns over inconsistencies in how their hourly wages are calculated based on monthly working hours. According to HLS, this method leads to unequal pay for the same work throughout the year, particularly affecting doctors who work many overtime hours. They argue that months with fewer working days, such as July and August, reduce the value of each hour worked compared to months like February, which could result in a loss of €300–€400 per month for some doctors. The Ministry of Health claims the current system aligns with labor laws and is consistent with other public sector practices. HLS warns that this approach may violate European Union regulations on working hours and rest periods, as it allows for significant weekly variations in workload within a single month. The syndicate has threatened legal action and has approached the European Commission, while negotiations over a new collective agreement remain stalled.

Bias read (Progressive): The article presents the HLS's argument against the current wage calculation system, emphasizing potential violations of EU labor standards and advocating for equal pay for equal work. It highlights systemic issues in healthcare workers' compensation and frames the Ministry of Health’s position as a

Why factuality (94): The article provides an accurate summary of the dispute, including the calculation method, the impact on doctors, and the potential legal actions by HLS. It also mentions the European regulations on weekly working hours. A small deduction arises from the incomplete quote at the end, but this does no

Why objectivity (87): The article maintains a relatively neutral stance, presenting the positions of both HLS and the Ministry of Health. However, the inclusion of a visual element ('Ilustracija / Shutterstock') and the phrasing 'Najviše su zakinuti oni...' may introduce a subtle bias by highlighting the most affected in

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Doctors are filing lawsuits: Overtime bills cost up to 400 euros a month

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