Hospital doctors in French Polynesia have begun an open-ended strike.
Photo: 123RF
The action affects hospitals in Tahiti and outer islands but exempts emergency wards.
The strike was called after the minister in charge of the public sector Tea Frogier refused to meet to discuss their grievances.
At the heart of the conflict is the government's refusal to recognise and remunerate doctors according to their work experience and seniority obtained outside French Polynesia.
The doctors said they took action because for three weeks the issues could not be discussed.
They said a surgeon at the hospital in Uturoa had quit because his nine years' experience was not being taken into account.
