|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 9 March 2004 |
 |
|
 |
News | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi Normal health services at Government Hospitals were affected yesterday due to a four-hour islandwide token strike staged by the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA). The GMOA's trade union action from 8.00 am to 12.00 pm came in protest against the Treasury Sub Committee's decision to obtain the concurrence of other trade unions in resolving the salary anomaly faced by Government doctors. The strike was not held in four hospitals - Lady Ridgeway, Castle Street, De Soyza and the Cancer Hospital, Maharagama. "We did not want to cause inconvenience to the patients and even this trade union action was launched causing minimum incontinence to the patients," a GMOA spokesman told the Daily News. Reports from hospitals said the normal services were affected due to the token strike. At the Colombo National Hospital alone, routine operations were had to be postponed while the ODD and clinical services were affected. "However, emergency services and operations were performed as usual," Hospital Director Dr. Hector Weerasinghe added. "However, we are now back to normal," added Dr. Weerasinghe. A GMOA spokesman urged the Treasury Committee to present its report to them by 12.00 on March 09 and submit it to the Cabinet on March 10, said the spokesman adding that they will be compelled to take drastic trade union action if the Health authorities fails to meet their demands. "We will be resorting to a continuous trade union action from March 11 if the authorities neglect our demands," he added. Despite the strike, GMOA ensured emergency services. Meanwhile, the GMOA has passed a resolution to inform the President, Prime Minister, World Health Organisation and United Nations about the inefficiency and conduct of the Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Reggie Perera for failing to resolve the crisis in the health sector. Already, a committee headed by Dr. Reggie Perera is preparing a report on the salary anomaly issue faced by the doctors. The committee also includes senior Treasury officials. The GMOA claimed that their members are facing salary anomalies in the cadre of the health sector. "We want the Health authorities to place us on the positions according to the circular issued following the Administrative Reform Commission in 1992," the spokesman added. He said ad-hoc circulars issued by the authorities from time to time had created serious issues concerning Medical Officers. "Owing to this situation, a Grade I Medical officer who was in the fourth position of the salary scale in the Health Department has been dropped to the 6th position. As well, Grade II had fallen from 9 to 21st position while a preliminary officer had been fallen from 12 to 40," the spokesman explained. An action committee has already been appointed by the GMOA following a special general meeting held a week ago. This committee is empowered with all the decision making powers regarding salary issues in the future. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
