Health Ministry strict on fingerprints

Nadira Gunatilleke

COLOMBO: The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry has ordered to all department heads to be strict on the recently introduced fingerprint sign in and sign out system of workers, Ministry sources said.

The Ministry made the new sign-in, sign-out method based on fingerprints compulsory from May 1 focusing on an efficient public health service.

Sources said all grades bellow Assistant Health Managers should use fingerprint machines to sign in and sign-out and any worker failing to follow instructions will subject to pay cut of overtime, holiday and other additional payments. Fingerprint machines can be obtained from the Director General, Finance for departments.

The fingerprint machines were introduced by the Ministry following an instruction by the Finance Ministry to ensure effectiveness of the free health service and to increase productivity.

Although certain trade unions interpret the new method as a violation of rights, this is not a move of the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry. "We are following instructions given by the Finance Ministry," sources said.

Some workers refrain from using fingerprint machines as they manipulate the old method of sign-in and sign-out to claim overtime. "Some workers sign-out at 1.00 p.m. and come the next day and change 1.00 p.m. into 7.00 p.m. and claim overtime.

Some workers sign in for their co-workers forging signatures. The fingerprint machine prevents all these malpractices," sources added.