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| Thursday, 3 July 2003 |
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by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi The Cabinet last night decided to take several effective measures to ensure normal health services amidst a strike carried out by a group of minor staff. The Cabinet had decided to deploy Police and Security Forces in hospitals in order to ensure the smooth functioning of hospital services. It has also been decided to deploy personnel from the Armed Forces from today to serve in hospital kitchens as the minor staff strike had greatly affected the supply of food to patients at hospitals. Besides, assistance of the additional security forces personnel will be obtained to ensure the provision of other required facilities such as water and electricity. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry which accused the PA-JVP backed trade unions of sabotage described the strike as an "outrageous move intended to put the Government in difficulty". The Cabinet has also appointed a committee comprising senior Ministers Karu Jayasuriya, Thilak Marapana, John Amaratunga, P. Dayaratne, Gamini Lokuge and Rajitha Senaratne to look into the current strike. The Cabinet of Ministers have expressed the opinion that it is very unjustifiable to go for a strike when the Government has categorically announced that the salaries of all Government servants will be increased. Already, strict security measures have been taken at hospitals to ensure protection for employees who are not participating in the strike. On Tuesday, the Health Ministry issued a circular cancelling the leave applicable to all minor staff of hospitals and other health institutions. The circular also states that those who do not report to work will be deemed as having vacated their posts. The Cabinet has decided to recruit new employees replacing casual and contract basis employees who are continuously participating in the strike. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry yesterday decided to allow one person each to stay with the patients treated at Teaching Hospitals to provide relief to the patients who are being treated at these hospitals. The strike by a group of minor employees commenced at the Colombo National Hospital on Tuesday and spread to three other teaching hospitals namely the Eye hospital, the Dental Institute and the De Soysa Maternity hospital by yesterday. They went on strike over six demands despite the Health Ministry's assurance that attention would be paid to resolve their problems. National Hospital Director Dr. Hector Weerasinghe said routine work at the hospital had been affected due to the strike, but alternative arrangements have been taken to ensure proper health-care to the patients. The minor staff are demanding a pay hike of Rs. 5,000 and an annual uniform allowance of Rs. 7,000. All Ceylon Health Services Union President, Samantha Koralearachchi said the strike would spread to all the hospitals in the Colombo district by today unless steps are taken to grant their demands. |
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