72 trade unions within the health sector are set to initiate an island-wide strike starting tomorrow (01) at 6:30 am. The primary demand behind this professional action is the inclusion of the Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance, previously exclusive to doctors, for other non-medical fields as well.
Despite assurances from the highest levels of the government that discussions on this demand would occur upon the President’s return from an official visit abroad, health workers assert that there has been no substantial intervention to address their concerns.
Expressing discontent, the health workers emphasize that no formal discussions have transpired since the President’s return, fueling frustration within the healthcare professional community. The lack of progress on this matter has prompted the decision to launch the island-wide strike.
It’s noteworthy that the All Ceylon Nurses Union, a prominent entity within the health sector, has opted not to partake in the scheduled strike.
