Public worker strike being held with "ethical shifts" in some sectors

SANTIAGO.- A new public employee strike, organized by the ANEF, began at 8:00AM today. The demonstration will affect activities at schools, doctor's offices, hospitals, customs offices, the Legal Medical Service and the Internal Revenue Service, among other institutions.

Medical services are reportedly employing "ethical shifts" to assist with emergencies, however, Radio Cooperativa has reported that appointment times will not be upheld and patients will not be able to pick up medications.

The president of the Confederation of Public Health Workers (CONFUSAM), Esteban Maturana, has issued a call for citizens "to not come to our establishments because there will be no medical service offered at primary health care offices".

The Custom's Department is also holding ethical work shifts, although only automobiles and buses will be allowed to enter and leave the country. The president of Custom's Department workers, Osvaldo Villablanca, has stated, "with regards to shipments of both imports and exports, we have decided not to offer service".

A different situation has developed however at the Internal Tax Service (SII), where there will be no services provided whatsoever after the president of the workers, Carlos Insulza, indicated that the department does not require ethical work shifts.