Foreign doctors protest in France over discriminatory pay and unstable work contracts

Hundreds of medical staff with non-EU diplomas have launched a three-day hunger strike in France, protesting the precarious conditions they face in the healthcare system.

This protest, which involves approximately 300 people, is aimed at securing greater protection for this group, known as "padhue" — a term used to refer to foreign-trained doctors and healthcare workers from outside the EU, Caliber.Az reports referring to international media.

“We find ourselves in an unacceptably precarious situation,” said Abdelhalim Bensaïdi, a striking diabetes specialist working at Nanterre Hospital on the outskirts of Paris, emphasizing the disparities faced by non-EU doctors compared to their European counterparts.

One of the most pressing issues highlighted during the strike is the significant pay disparity. Some "padhue" workers are reportedly earning up to three times less than their peers who hold European diplomas. In addition to these financial challenges, many of these foreign-trained doctors also face instability in their employment status. Their contracts are typically renewed every six months, and they lack guarantees regarding their right to remain in France, even as they continue to serve the French healthcare system.

In January 2024, the French government pledged to offer extended work permits to foreign doctors who had failed the selective national exam required for full integration into the French medical system. However, more than a year and two successive governments later, that promise remains unfulfilled.

To gain full recognition of their qualifications in France, non-EU doctors must pass rigorous knowledge verification tests. The process is extremely competitive, with thousands of foreign-trained doctors vying for positions. In 2023, over 20,000 applicants sought these roles, but only 2,649 were successful, resulting in a pass rate of just 13.5 per cent. Moreover, during the most recent exam session, 20 per cent of the positions available went unfilled, a decision that Bensaïdi described as “arbitrary.” For many experienced doctors with proven clinical skills, the exam serves as an unjust obstacle to job security and professional advancement.

The uncertainty surrounding their employment status also affects the personal lives of these medical professionals. "Our entire family life depends on this exam and the renewal of our papers,” said Nadir, an anaesthetist-reanimator who earns €1,476 per month. He added, “How can we take out a loan or plan for the future when we don’t even know if we can stay?” This precarious situation has left many medical workers feeling trapped in a cycle of uncertainty.

In response to the ongoing difficulties faced by non-EU doctors, the union supporting these workers has announced a demonstration outside the French Ministry of Health in Paris on March 8.

The protest is expected to draw further attention to the issues of fair compensation, job security, and the need for systemic reform in the recognition of foreign qualifications in France's healthcare sector.

By Tamilla Hasanova