Public sector trade unions to launch countrywide strike today

Multiple State sector and provincial public service trade unions will commence a nationwide strike today over several demands.

The Trade Union Collective Coordinator Chandana Sooriyaarachchi has confirmed that the strike is set to start at 12 p.m. today. The primary demands include a Rs. 20,000 allowance or a wage hike in the 2024 Budget.

According to Sooriyaarachchi, the strike is anticipated to involve the participation of a broad spectrum of State sector employees, including Development Officers, Management Service Officers, Grama Niladhari Officers, Samurdhi Officers, Office Services, and various other personnel from the Provincial Public Service Sector. 

The Public Health Inspectors Union have also expressed their intention to take part in the strike. 

Separately the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced a series of trade union actions in protest of the Government’s failure to take feasible measures to retain medical officers who are leaving Sri Lanka in search of greener pastures abroad. 

The GMOA has opted to discontinue its provision of mobile ambulance services for VIP health security operations from 1 November until further notice. They also plan to withdraw from other non-related duty activities, such as planned mobile clinics outside of hospital duties, until further notice.

Furthermore, after 1 November, the GMOA intends to initiate a provincial-level trade union action to protest the authorities’ inadequate response to the proposed solutions they had submitted earlier.