The trade unions representing health sector employees have declared their intention to initiate a fresh strike commencing February 01, unless the government takes prompt action to address their grievances.
Despite assurances from the President to engage in discussions about allowances upon his return from an overseas tour, health workers claim they are yet to have a meeting with the Head of State.
Protests are set to unfold today in front of hospitals in and around Colombo, marking a series of demonstrations amid the ongoing dispute.
The Cabinet of Ministers, on January 08, greenlit President Ranil Wickremesinghe's proposal to double the Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance for government doctors, elevating it from Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 70,000.
Since the approval, trade unions representing a diverse spectrum of health professionals, including radiology and laboratory technicians, pharmacists, drug compounders, midwives, dental surgeons, public health inspectors, and entomology officers, have staged multiple strikes opposing the government's decision. Their collective demand is for an across-the-board increase in allowances for all health sector employees.
Adding fuel to the fire, on January 23, the government opted to temporarily reduce the DAT allowance for doctors by half, citing insufficient funds. Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Director General of Health Services, clarified that while arrangements were made for the payment, the Treasury had not released funds within the approved allocation limit.
