Health trade unions islandwide to strike today

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – Health trade unions have scheduled a co-ordinated protest in islandwide hospitals today (27), according to Health Service Trade Union Federation Convener and Government Nursing Officers’ Association President Saman Rathnapriya.

He said this would take place between 7 a.m.-1 p.m. with the participation of 44 health trade unions.

According to Rathnapriya, allowances and facilities in lieu of the Covid-19 situation are the main issues they face at the moment, which is the reason for the protest.

“We have still not been provided with the Rs. 7,500 Covid-19 allowance and other facilities,” he stated.

Health trade unions earlier staged a similar protest on 22 September, which took place between 12 p.m.-1 p.m. with the participation of 100,000 health staff in 1,100 hospitals.

“Besides doctors, every staff member who represents the health sector participated in this protest,” stated Rathnapriya.

He explained that the main issues faced by health workers include the matter of Covid-19 facilities and allowances, overtime and travel allowance, and the provision of meals.

“The present Government did not provide any of these facilities yet, and we have to spend around Rs. 1,500 daily to fulfil our transport requirement,” he said.