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Arbitration Board for health sector

by Edward Arambewala

Health, Nutrition and Welfare Minister P. Dayaratne on Monday resolved to take positive action to end strikes in the health sector, by setting up the Arbitration Board to resolve trade union disputes amicably. This is to be done with the consent of all the trade unions in the sector, with whom the Minister will have a dialogue shortly on the issue.

The trade unions will be explained that this in no way an attempt to take away the trade unions' right for strike action. This is an act taken following the proposals made by the GMOA and several health sector trade unions a few years ago to the Government for a conflict-free resolution of trade union disputes in the sector. One Minister gave this assurance to a delegation from the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA).

"The Minister will hold discussions with the trade unions in the course of next month, and thereafter appoint a committee to workout the details. Possibly the Board could be set up by the end of the year. Dr. Samarasekera commended the role played by the Daily News health page "Health Watch", and editorially also in supporting the Arbitration Board proposal on several occasions. He said that these highlights by the Daily News in urging upon the Authorities to pursue the Arbitration Board proposal would have to some extent resulted in the Minister taking up the issue now by himself. The SLMA delegation which met Minister Dayaratne, on Monday comprised besides Dr. Seneviratne (President SLMA), Dr. Samarasekera (Vice President SLMC), Dr. Lucian Jayasuriya and Dr. Clement Silva.

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