Infermies' Oda raises membership fee, nurses express dissatisfaction

Under the new decision, all nurses, whether employed or not, are obliged to pay 3.50 euros a month to preserve their status as members of OIC.

A nurse, who has expressed her concern over the decision, said the increase in the fee from 0.83 euros to 3.50 euros is unaffordable.

The price of products and services has steadily increased, while our salaries are not passing this rate. This growth is completely unfair”, she said.

On the other hand, the Infermies' Oda has indicated that failure to pay membership for a period of six months brings serious consequences to members. According to the announcement, the failure to fulfil this obligation results in the outcome of membership, the elimination of the Membership Register and the loss of all rights stemming from membership, including the right to professional licenses.

Also, in the event of re-membership, the member is obliged to pay double the registration fee.

OIK has announced that all members who fail to perform membership obligations will not be able to benefit from services and benefits Oda offers, including legal protection, vital and health insurance, sustainable Professional Education (EVP), as well as other programmes dedicated to active members.

Linked to this decision in an OIC response to Indexline, the change of tariffs is said to have been made on the basis of the OIC Parliament decision, Oda's highest decision-making body. According to OIC, new tariffs ensure better coverage of services for members, including vital security and providing judicial support through attorney services.

While they say they have rejected no complaints from nurses as regards increasing the price of membership.

“As far as complaints are concerned, Oda has so far rejected no formal complaint about changing membership fees. On the basis of the House of Nurses, midwives and other Kosovo health professionals' decision, dated 27.02.26, the new way of paying membership according to the members' categories has been determined. Members employed in the public sector pay membership to an estimated 0.5% gross salary through the Payroll system. Unemployed members and private sector employees pay 3 euros a month, while retired status members pay 2 euros a month. For these categories, the payment is realised on an annual basis of preparation”, the OIC response said. /EO/