Representatives of the Nationwide Union of Nurses and Midwives are occupying the gallery in parliament (Sejm) for the fifth day running, protesting new laws that allow hospitals greater freedom in farming out work to part-time employees.

The new legislation jeopardises those nurses on long-term contracts, say trade unionists.

“The protest continues,” said Longina Kaczmarska, deputy head of the of the Union in an interview with the Polish Press Agency.

“Today, we are passing over to Marshal of the Sejm Grzegorz Schetyna and Minister Michal Boni the legal opinion of an independent expert,” Kaczmarska continued, adding that the document revealed that the nurses expectations were in concord with the constitution.

Negotiations took place on Sunday between the Union and Minister of Health Ewa Kopacz together with Vice Minister Jakub Szulc. However, the talks ended in fiasco.

In the opinion of Minister Kopacz, a ban on flexible contracts would be unconstitutional, and that everyone should have freedom of choice.

She added that there was also a group of nurses that were happy working under the looser arrangement.

"We are sorry that we were unable to convince the minister," said Union representative Iwona Borchulska.

'We remain unswerving in the same position,' she concluded, repeating that nurses cannot work under the looser contracts. (nh/pg)