The Government Nursing Officers Association (GNOA) President, Saman Rathnapriya has confirmed that a 24-hour token strike will be launched in government hospitals on Thursday, April 6. Ratnapriya cited several demands of the health workers as the cause for the joint trade union action. “Our main demand is that all salary irregularities of nurses and other health services staff should be rectified,” he said, adding that despite the increase in salaries many health service staff continue to get fixed rates for overtime work instead of getting an increase proportionate to the salary increment as given to other government employees. Among other demands the GNOA are also requesting revision of the promotion schemes, establishment of health services administrative bodies for each service and implementation of simpler language proficiency courses.
According to Ratnapriya a large number of health services employees islandwide including nursing officers, pharmacists, physiotherapists, paramedics, public health inspectors, dental technicians,, entomological assistants are expected to take part in the token strike.
“We have had several discussion with the government regarding these matters,” Ratnapriya said, adding that the token strike action was decided on due to the poor response of the government regarding the demands made by the association.