The Sri Lanka Federation of health workers (SLFHP) has warned of more island-wide action if the ministry of health continues to ignore their demands.

Trade unions in the state health sector have repeatedly engaged in strikes over the last few months in response to several unresolved issues including salaries and promotions. 

In early March, several discussions were held between the minister of health and the SLFHP. This resulted in the union postponing action. However, following no response from the Sri Lankan government nor any effort to address their demands, the body has begun to plan more strikes and protests.

The SLFHP’s demands centre on the following issues, EconomyNext reports

• Considering the Sri Lanka Eligibility Framework, the study committee to be appointed as per the cabinet decision to eliminate the salary anomaly has not been appointed for a month yet.
• The Public Service Commission has not yet approved the issuance of the circular pertaining to the 5/7-year promotion system approved by the cabinet.
• The health ministry secretary and the Public Service Commission are deliberately delaying in revising the recruitment procedures.
• Although it was reported that the Director General of Health Services had appointed a committee to create the posts of directors, nothing has happened beyond that.

In October last year, president Gotabaya Rajapaksa had issued a special gazette banning strikes by employees related to essential services after many public services employees, nurses in particular, went on strike to protest against poor working conditions. According to these new rules, they could face two to five years imprisonment, fines, and possibly lose their professional credentials for taking part in such actions.

Further protests have been planned in the coming weeks. 

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