In a bid to address longstanding grievances, several health sector trade unions have declared a token strike set to commence on Monday, affecting hospitals across the Central Province.
The Health Trade Union Alliance has confirmed plans to extend the strike to other provinces gradually.
The unions, representing various health professionals including radiology and laboratory technicians, pharmacists, midwives, dental surgeons, public health inspectors, and entomology officers, have persistently pressed for an increase in allowances.
Tensions arose following the Cabinet Ministers' approval of President Ranil Wickremesinghe's proposal to double the Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance for government doctors from Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 70,000, prompting the unions to intensify their actions in recent months.
