Health sector trade unions have raised concerns over the government’s recent measures, calling for holiday allowances and a dedicated fuel quota to maintain essential services.
Co-convener of the Health Services Trade Union Alliance, Ravi Kumudesh, said health workers required proper compensation if they are expected to report to duty on designated public holidays.
“If we are required to work on a holiday such as Wednesday, the government must pay the relevant holiday allowance,” he said.
He also stressed the need for a separate fuel allocation mechanism for the health sector, noting that uninterrupted healthcare services cannot be maintained without ensuring easy access to fuel for staff.
“If healthcare is considered an essential service, then the staff delivering it must also be treated as essential. A proper fuel quota and a convenient system to obtain fuel must be introduced,” he said.
Kumudesh questioned the rationale behind providing the same fuel quota for three-wheelers and private vehicles while expecting health workers to continue delivering critical services.
He further criticised the decision to declare a holiday for most sectors while expecting the health sector to function as usual, questioning whether authorities assume patients would not require medical care on those days.
The trade union representative warned that if the government continues to expect staff to work on holidays without additional benefits, it must take responsibility to provide appropriate allowances without delay. (Newswire)