A coalition of more than 20 health unions in the health sector has taken steps to launch a trade union protest against the authorities’ failure to address the demands of the heroes who are fighting the epidemic.
Emphasizing the need for a long-term plan based on a definite plan to rescue the people of the country from the deadly epidemic, the Coalition of Health Trade Unions points out that it is essential to protect and provide the necessary facilities to the health staff.
On May 27, the Health Trade Union Confederation had informed the Minister of Health of 15 requests and suggestions for mobilizing the health service for this purpose and that a solution was expected before 1st of June.
The Health Trade Union Confederation had warned Health Minister Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi that a symbolic trade union action would be launched on June 3 in several selected health institutions if further solutions were delayed.
The Health Trade Union Confederation points out that the health authorities have so far failed to address their demands.
Accordingly, the Teaching Hospitals in Jaffna, Batticaloa, Anuradhapura, Peradeniya, Kalubowila, Karapitiya, Ratnapura and the Kandy National Hospital as well as the Sri Lanka National Hospital will be closed from 7 am to 12 noon on June 03 and will be open to all island hospitals on that day from 1200 noon. The Health Trade Union Confederation has decided to hold a silent protest from 12.30 pm.
The following are the requests made by the Collective of Health Trade Unions from the Minister of Health.
01. Appointment of a Trade Union Committee headed by the Director General of Health Services to strengthen the COVid-19 repression process and to involve the Secretary of Health in it when it is essential to take decisions;
02.Continuous provision of N95 face masks, protective clothing etc. to all health staff to protect against the plague;
03. Appointment of Trade Union Representatives to Hospital Covid Committees and Reactivation of Hospital Advisory Committees with Trade Union Participation;
04. Granting special leave to the maternity health staff as provided by the Public Administration Circulars;
05. Granting special leave to all health staff in accordance with Public Administration Circulars,
06. Payment of leave allowances to the staff who report for duty for special public holidays declared by the government
07. Providing transport facilities for all health staff in a proper and free manner
08. To provide treatment to the staff in case of infection with Covid-19 and to formulate a formal system for quarantine;
09. Allowing staff with special difficulties to report for duty to report to work in the nearest hospital / health institution,
10.Giving daily salaries to substitute / casual health assistants during special holidays and quarantine periods;
11. Recruitment to all staff, filling vacancies expeditiously,
12. Confirmation of casual and substitute health assistants,
13. Overtime, holiday allowances, call allowances, removal of restrictions paid to all staff,
14. Establish a systematic provision of food to all staff on duty at Kovid-19 and establish a formal relief program to provide food to all health staff on days when there are restrictions on travel;
15. Granting a special allowance to all health staff for providing risky and difficult services under the Covid epidemic situation;
Trade unions such as , Complementary Medical Services Joint Board, Government Nurses Association, Government Family Health Services Association, Government Association of Radiology Technologists, Sri Lanka Republic Health Services Association, Government Health Management Assistants Association, Sri Lanka Free Health Services Association, Progressive Health Services Association, Laboratory Support Employees Association, Ceylon Republic Health Services Association, Health Service Chefs Association, Western Provincial Health Service Drivers Association, Health Services United Telephone Operators Association, Office Staff Association, Drug Liaison Officers Association, Government Health Service Telephone Operators Association, United Sri Lanka Government Health Services Association, Elevator Operators Association, Republican Joint Health Services Union, General Employees Union, Free General Employees Union, Government Health Service Telephone Operators Association represent the Health Trade Union Confederation.