PHI’s withdraw from duties

• Cite the non-gazetting of election guidelines as key reason 
• Fault Health Minister for unfair comments

The Pubic Health Inspectors’ Union of Sri Lanka (PHIUSL) yesterday launched a trade union action citing the inability to perform duties without being empowered by the new election guidelines for the control of the COVID-19 virus, which have been delayed by the Health Ministry. 

As such, the PHI union withdrew from all COVID-19 control related duties effective from 12.30 pm yesterday.  The Union had warned officials of themselves withdrawing from duties due to the difficulties they have faced in carrying out duties during the election period for several weeks, as the new gazette publicising guidelines on the COVID-19 control measures were delayed. 

In a letter to the Ministry of Health Secretary, PHI Union Chairman J.U. Rohana objected to a recent statement made by Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi to the press, in which the Minister stated that the PHI’s will not be granted powers under the gazette, citing the pressure it will pose on the public. 

Rohana argued that the PHI’s had been working with minimal facilities, with no legal cover over several months to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka. Rohana stated that the minister’s comments were aimed to brand the tireless efforts of front-line public health practitioners as “creating unnecessary pressure on the public” and expressed the Union’s collective displeasure at this attempt. 

He stated that the decision to take trade union action was decided by the executive committee of the PHIUSL and further action will be discussed at a district member meeting to be held today.