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| Thursday, 1 January 2004 |
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HSTUA, authorities clash over black flags by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi There was tension at Government health institutions countrywide yesterday as trade union members attempted to hoist black flags at government hospitals in defiance of a Health Ministry directive and the Police called into thwart the exercise. Hospital sources said Police officers were called into the hospital premises to prevent the Health Services Trade Union Alliance (HSTUA)'s from hoisting black flags amidst a Health Ministry Secretary's circular prohibiting such action. Sources said protestors who entered hospital premises in large numbers had made attempts to hoist black flags with some groups succeeding. "In such instances Police officers did not interfere in Order to avoid confrontation" a senior health official said however adding that every black flag will be removed from hospital premises. Reports from provincial hospitals said there were no major incidents as a result of the protest campaign while hospital administrative officers assured that services at Government hospitals were functioning as usual. Colombo National Hospital Director Dr. Hector Weerasinghe said action will be taken to remove every black flag according to the circular issued by Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Reggie Perera. "We have to abide by the Health Secretary's circular and action will be taken accordingly," He said, Police had been called in for taking necessary action to remove those flags. On Tuesday evening, Police removed all the black flags and other posters from the hospital premises. However, the HSTUA condemned the action taken by the health authorities claiming that they were only engaged in a peaceful trade union action. 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 is to hold a further discussion with the Cabinet Sub Committee on January 2 to reach a final settlement. "If we are not given a positive response, we will be launching a continuous trade union action," an HSTUA spokesman said. Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Reggie Perera 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 healthcare workers. |
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