GMOA opposes proposed contribution-based pension scheme

• Opposes proposals including removal of benefits for Govt. servants, student insurance scheme and private medical labs in Govt. hospitals 
• Stages one hour strike 
• Requests meeting with Prez to discuss issues

Objecting to a number of proposals in the Budget 2017, including the contribution-based pension scheme for all Government recruits from 2016, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) staged a protest in 18 general hospitals in each province during the lunch hour yesterday. 

GMOA Secretary Dr. Navin de Soysa told Daily FT that the Government is yet to announce the percentage of Government contribution to the proposed pension fund.

“The Government has to announce their contribution to the pension scheme and we would like to ask Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake why he is in such a hurry to implement the new system,” he said.

Dr. Soysa added that this proposed pension scheme will de-motivate new employees and professionals who are willing to join the Government in the future.

“People are interested in Government jobs despite the low-salary because of the pension they will get after retirement. The younger generation in rural areas is especially interested in Government jobs only because on the pension. The Government will lose this if they abolish the pension,” he said. Dr. Soysa also said that the Government has de-motivated existing professionals by trimming the benefits they were entitled to earlier such as travelling allowances and official residences.

Referring to the proposal to obtain Rs. 500 m from tobacco companies to spend on raising awareness on the harmfulness on cigarettes, Dr. Soysa said that it violated the standards set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO). 

“WHO has standards in usage of funds on awareness programs and it says that no Government should be funded by harmful businesses like tobacco and alcohol. The Sri Lankan Government planning to take tobacco money to conduct awareness to prevent smoking is ridiculous,” he claimed. 

GMOA also raised its objections against the Government proposal to create an insurance plan for children in partnership with private insurance entities. Dr. Soysa said that such a move would effectively curtail benefits for children provided by the Government. 

“The Government has passed the responsibility of protecting school children to private insurance companies and they are trying to absolve themselves from their main responsibilities. If a private company took over the responsibility of providing insurance for kids they will charge a handling fee. It will add cost to Government expenditure as well,” he said.

The GMOA also criticised Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayke’s proposal to establish private laboratories inside Government hospitals and claimed it will drive the State health sector to its end. 

“All low income earners and senior citizens benefit from State laboratories. If the private sector took the monopoly, people with low income levels will not be able to afford it. It is unfair,” he charged. 

Dr. Soysa also claimed the Karunanayke’s proposal to issue a five year work visa for foreigners was a move by the Government towards enacting the conditions of the ECTA (Economic and Technology Agreement).

“We have requested a discussion with President Maithripala Sirisena to discuss the above matters, but the authorities are yet to give us an opportunity to meet him,” Dr. Soysa said.