Health professionals launch two-day strike today

Indefinite strike to commence on 10 March

The Federation of Health Professionals yesterday announced a countrywide strike to be conducted today and tomorrow after the Health Ministry failed to adhere to the agreements reached between the parties in February.

On 15 Feb., the Federation suspended its strike action for 14 days after the Health Minister promised to put forth a Cabinet paper to resolve their issues by the end of February.

The College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) President, Ravi Kumudesh told The Island that the Federation had not been informed of the progress made on any of the agreements reached by the two parties.

“It’s obvious that the President himself has to intervene to solve the issues regarding salary anomalies and overtime payments. On the other hand other grievances can be easily solved by the Minister and officials. However, nothing had been done in the last two weeks and it’s obvious that the government has no intention of resolving our issues. Rather than sitting down with us, they prefer to create a crisis in the country,” he alleged.

The Federation of Health Professionals will hold a strike for two days, covering all hospitals of the country except paediatric hospitals, maternity hospitals, cancer hospitals, kidney hospitals, mental health institute and the central blood bank.

“If the government fails to do anything after the two day strike, we will again go for a continuous strike from March 10,” Kumudesh warned.

(RK)