GMOA and GMOF agree new tax formula unfair but disagree on strike

Trade unions vow to cripple public services on March 15

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) yesterday (12) said that about 40 public sector trade unions would resort to trade union action beginning today leading to a countrywide strike on 15 March.

GMOA spokesperson Dr. Chamila Wijesinghe said that their major demand was the revision of new tax formula. Trade unions representing the power sector, ports, transport and banks have pledged their support for the countrywide action.

Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF) President Dr. Rukshan Bellana told The Island that he was strongly opposed to the strike as it subjected those struggling to make ends meet to further misery but agreed the new tax formula couldn’t be acceptable under any circumstances.

Dr. Bellana said that governments had to tax both public and private sectors but those who decided on the latest tax formula were a bunch of madmen. He said the government should review the new tax formula or face the consequences as countrywide disruption of services could have caused further deterioration of the situation. (SF)