Fifteen non-medical unions, including nurses, and paramedics, have commenced a token strike at 7.00 am today (24), according to the President of the Government Nurses Association, Saman Ratnapriya.
Accordingly, the token strike which commenced at 7.00 am today is scheduled to last for 48 hours, he said.
He further stated that the strike is organised over several issues including the service promotion anomalies, and the cuts in the salaries of nursing graduates.
The strike is being carried out at 365 regional health offices in 1,100 hospitals by about 55,000 health sector employees involved in a number of non-medical services, including public health and family health services, throughout the hospital system.
Accordingly, he said that the strike will be held for two days, but, if the authorities do not respond positively to the token strike, more serious action will have to be taken.
However, the staff at children’s hospitals, cancer hospitals, maternity hospitals and Covid-linked hospitals will not take part in the strike, said the President of the Joint Federation of Paramedical Professionals Ravi Kumudesh.
He also noted however, that hospitals will be working to maintain emergency and essential services.