The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) has voiced its strong opposition to the upcoming island-wide strike organized by health sector employees, deeming it unjustified. Dr. Haritha Aluthge, Secretary of the GMOA, asserted that 50% of the wage demands presented by the protesting trade unions have already been met.
Dr. Aluthge specifically addressed the contentious issue of the Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance for doctors, revealing that only 15% of the requested increment has been granted to doctors thus far. Despite the government fulfilling half of the demands, he criticized the ongoing push for higher salaries by the protesting health workers.
"Their demand was to increase the salaries of government employees by Rs. 20,000. They have received Rs. 10,000 so far. It means that 50% of their demands are completed," stated Dr. Aluthge, emphasizing the progress made in meeting the union's financial requests.
In addition to highlighting the partial fulfillment of demands, Dr. Aluthge criticized the protesting health workers, particularly those in the secondary and primary grades of government service, contrasting their stance with that of doctors in the senior grade.
Despite the widespread strike, the All Ceylon Nurses' Union has chosen not to participate in the strike action. Instead, they plan to conduct a demonstration in front of government hospitals during lunchtime on the scheduled strike day, offering an alternative approach to expressing their concerns.
