Health strike called off, talks fail

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

The strike action launched by the health workers will come to an end at 8 am today (17). 

 
According to Convenor of the Health Services Trade Union Alliance, the meeting held with the Acting Finance Minister and other stakeholders ended with no proper solutions.  
However, the Finance Ministry will bring the grievances to the attention of the President who is currently overseas. 

 
The health trade unions also had a discussion with the Health Ministry officials this afternoon where the concerns were referred to the Finance Ministry.  

“Negotiations ended without reaching a resolution. The proposal of the Alliance was reluctantly accepted, and we are now awaiting the President’s arrival for the final decisions. A General Conference of the Alliance of Health Trade Unions is set for January 18, 2024, to strategize for sustained professional action over the next 14 days,” the Convenor said.  
The trade unions resorted to an island-wide strike starting from yesterday to express dissatisfaction with the government’s decision to increase the Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance for doctors.  

The trade unions demand they too be given allowance similar to the DAT allowance.  

The massive strike is a coordinated effort involving 27 trade unions within the health domain.  

In light of the strike, Sri Lanka Army personnel were deployed to facilitate the healthcare services.