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| Sunday, 22 June 2003 |
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Ban on health sector strikes? by Shanika Sriyananda The Government is considering to implement new legislations to ban trade union actions especially in healthcare sector, following numerous requests by the public, who are victimised by the frequent strikes. A top Ministry official told the 'Sunday Observer' that these legislation would be introduced soon in a bid to protect the poor patients, who are solely dependent on free medical care. " Trade unions have the right to fight for their rights, but not by causing inconvenience to the people. Frequent strikes, especially due to salary anomalies and other professional issues, have become a hassle to the ordinary people", he pointed out. Meanwhile, the National Association for the Rights of Patients (NARP) will be handing over a petition to the Government, calling for a ban on strikes by healthcare staffers, especially doctors and nurses. A spokesman for the NARP said that they have already collected several thousand signatures and hope to handover it to the Government shortly. The NARP, with a membership of a large number of patients, professionals and religious dignitaries, believe that they have a right to insist on the relevant authorities to take immediate actions to stop, victimisation of patients, as well as the violation of patients' rights. " For any salary hike, we, the public have to bare the burden because they are paid by the public funds, which can be utilised to upgrade the healthcare facilities for the poor. As patients we have the right to request for a ban. We cannot be shields for others to win their demands in future", he added. |
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