The Joint Council of Professions Supplementary to Medicine yesterday, July 2, warned that they too would be compelled to take union action from July 6, 2021 unless the Health Ministry took action to redress their grievances.
The Joint Council had earlier held discussions with Ministry officials over 14 demands.
“However, the Ministry has done nothing to solve our longstanding problems. Instead of addressing the issues, Ministry officials are trying to win over some members of our unions to their side. They are also partial to some health sector trade unions. While they are given everything, other sectors are ignored. If people are inconvenienced by our strike, the Health Ministry must take responsibility,” President of the Joint Council, Ravi Kumudesh said.
On Thursday, President of the Public Service United Nurses Union (PSUNU), Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera warned that they too would resort to a continuous strike from July 7, unless the Health Ministry took action to redress their grievances. Three nursing unions PSUNU, Government Nursing Officers Union (GNOU) and All Ceylon Nurses’ Union (ACNU) on Thursday commenced a two-day trade union action over nine demands.
About 38,000 nurses attached to 1,103 health institutions, 16 nursing schools and 248 MOH offices took part in the union action.
