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| Wednesday, 31 December 2003 |
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by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Reggie Perera yesterday prohibited the hoisting of black flags at health institutions claiming that such a step would be detrimental to the mental condition of the patients and health-care workers. In his circular, Dr. Perera had instructed heads of all health institutions to take a tough stand against the hoisting black flags and even to obtain the assistance of the Police to prevent such action where necessary. The action by the Secretary comes in the wake of Health Services Trade Union Alliance (HSTUA)'s decision to launch a black flag hoisting campaign at every health institution from today (31). "A black flag at a health institution may affect the patients who are waging a battle between life and death," Dr. Perera says in his circular. However, the HSTUA lodged its protest over the Health Secretary's circular claiming that the Ministry is trying to disrupt the peaceful protest of the trade unions. Meanwhile, last evening's discussion between Health Minister P. Dayaratne and HSTUA representatives ended with certain agreements being reached. A HSTUA spokesman said they were able to reach certain agreements." We will be holding a further discussions with the Cabinet Sub Committee on January 02 to reach a final settlement." The HSTUA launched a black arm band protest from Monday, against the alleged failure of the authorities to provide a speedy solution to redress their salary anomalies. The HSTUA resorted to this trade union action claiming they were not satisfied with the Cabinet decision to resolve the salary anomaly in the health sector. Instead, they claimed that this decision would lead to a further crisis in the health sector. The Cabinet decision seeks to increase the salaries of health employees' salary in three stages in 2004, 2005 and 2006. |
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