January 15, Colombo (LNW): In protest against the government’s decision to increase the Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance for doctors while neglecting their own demands, health sector employees’ trade unions are set to launch a 24-hour token strike starting from 06:30 a.m. on January 16.
President of the Paramedical Services Front (PMSF) Upul Rohana emphasized that the Minister of Health has not engaged in discussions regarding their demands. Approximately 100,000 health workers, including paramedical services, hospital secretaries, administrative officers, health administrative assistants, minor staff, and 75 other trade unions of health staff, are expected to participate in this island-wide strike.
Upul Rohana warned that the strike would significantly disrupt hospital services, emphasizing that maintaining medical services solely with doctors is not feasible.
President of the Academy of Health Professionals Ravi Kumudesh added a note of caution, stating that if military forces are employed to suppress the health workers’ strike, they are prepared to escalate the trade union action even further.
