The doctors' trade union, Fides, admits that the demand – taking into account the current condition of the country's public finances – is a bit daring; therefore they don't expect the pay rise to happen overnight. Those in charge of leveling wages oppose the demand.

The first reaction when one considers their demand for a 3:1 ratio between doctors' pay and the average pay in the country, and taking into account the current list of top salaries in the public sector, is – to put it midly – a feeling of outrage. The first 50 spots on the list of top salaries – and there are only 50 spots on the list – in January and March went to doctors! The record holder from the top list in March was a medical specialist from the Ptuj hospital, who received 11 thousand 460 euros gross pay.

The other side of the story is quite different. Some earnings are even 10-times lower. Specialist registrars in March, who even work overtime or during unsocial hours, earned an average of 1 thousand 900 euros gross, which is considerably less than the above-mentioned figure.

Health Minister Boris Koprivnikar informed doctors that negotiations were only possible on the system itself. He admitted that their work was demanding, but sees the announced strike as a form of pressure.