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| Tuesday, 1 July 2003 |
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Hospital employees strike demanding pay hike by Manjula Fernando Around three thousand minor employees in the Colombo National Hospital are expected to go on strike from today over six demands including a Rs. 5000 pay hike and a Rs. 7000 uniform allowance a year while the Health Ministry accused the PA-JVP backed trade unions of sabotage. "The strike organised by five trade unions will be extended to the Eye hospital, Dental Institute and De Soysa Maternity hospital from tomorrow and all hospitals in the Colombo district thereafter if no positive response is received from the authorities to our demands," All Ceylon Health Services Union President Samantha Koralearachchi said. The All Ceylon Health Services Union, Government Health Services Union, Saukya Departamenthu Nidahas Podu Sevaka Sangamaya, Samastha Lanka Sri Lanka Nidahas Suva Seva Sangamaya and Sabaragamuwa Health Services Union have organised the strike. The other demands include recommencement of training for Attendants, Rs. 1000 accident allowance, permanency for supplementary and casual workers and a halt to privatisation of hospitals and doing away with the janitorial service. Health Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. Nihal Jayatillake described the strike as an "outrageous move intended to put the Government in difficulty. Addressing a media conference yesterday he said Minister P. Dayaratne has already agreed to grant several concessions to these employees during a meeting with two of their major trade unions. "Considering their representations, the Minister has agreed to grant a uniform allowance of Rs. 1700 a year instead of the quota of material given at present. In addition it was agreed to increase the present accident allowance from Rs. 100 to Rs. 550 and grant an interim allowance of Rs. 500 in future. The cabinet paper in this respect has already been submitted," Dr. Jayatilleke said. At this meeting, the Minister ha emphasised the inability to grant them a special salary increase, however explaining that there will be a considerable pay hike for all public sector employees in December. "They are demanding the impossible. We see this as an organised political attempt to disrupt the whole health so as to embarrass the Government" the Additional Secretary said. Meanwhile, members of the Jathika Saukya Seva Podu Sevaka Sangamaya said yesterday the strike will be a flop since they or the Samastha Lanka Suva Seva Sangamaya members will not be joining in the strike. At the media conference at the Health Ministry yesterday Chief Organiser of the Jathika Saukya Seva Podu Sevaka Sangamaya K. Wimalaratne said their members will not be supporting the trade union action in the National Hospital or elsewhere. |
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