The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) demands that the corrected circular pertaining to the reduction of doctors’ additional duty and leave allowances be issued within a week, warning of trade union action if not addressed.
GMOA Spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said that the association’s executive committee reached the decision during a meeting held earlier in the day.
He said that following trade union action, the President had agreed to reinstate the allowances to their previous values, and subsequently amended the Budget document, in accordance with this, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a circular on March 25.
Dr. Wijesinghe noted that the Health Ministry, based on those guidelines, issued a circular on April 28. However, the circular reportedly included incorrect calculations for the additional duty allowances and violated several fundamental and technical policies.
He further said the GMOA raised objections and met with Health Ministry officials on April 29, during which the ministry agreed to issue a corrected circular promptly. He questioned the failure to implement the President’s directive and the Health Minister’s parliamentary assurances, suggesting that the situation may be influenced by external forces, which warrants investigation. (Newswire)