News
No reduction in medical fees until gazette notice appears, says GAMCA
A private medical group yesterday refused to reduce the fees for a health clearance certificate sought by Middle-East bound workers, despite a directive from the authorities.
A top official with the Gulf Approved Medical Centres Association (GAMCA) told the Sunday Times yesterday that the directive was yet to be endorsed by gazette notification and until then the present fee will not change.
With effect from June 1, this year GAMCA increased the medical fee from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,500, drawing a chorus of protests from stake holders in the industry.
The official explained that the fee is met by the foreign sponsor and no one else, therefore local recruiting agents or any other person need not worry or protest, unless there is some hidden agenda.
He added that GAMCA which operates 15 medical centres in Colombo and Kurunegala maintains the required standards and the local authorities were not complaining and dismissed allegations that the outlets lacked basic facilities among other charges.
“Should the authorities endorse a reversion of the fee through a gazette notification then we will definitely comply, not otherwise,” the official who did not wish to be named said.
Foreign Employment and Welfare Promotion Secretary Nissanka Wijeyratne who issued the directive in late June however yesterday said that GAMCA was within the legal frame work to charge the existing fee of Rs. 7500 until the Gazette notification is made.
He added that the directive from the Ministry was in a advisory capacity urging GAMCA to consider the revision of the fee. “However, should the gazette notice which is expected shortly endorse the revision of fee, then we will see GAMCA complies accordingly or else legal action will be instituted,”,Mr. Wijeyratne said.
Earlier SLFEB General Manager Harischandra Batagoda said the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) had the authority to initiate legal action against GAMCA if it failed to comply.Meanwhile Faizer Mackeen with the Association for Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies (ALFEA) said his agency would take GAMCA to courts.
He added that medical expenses was borne by the foreign sponsor only in the case of female workers and male workers had to meet these expenses among other things.
“The Government is also slow in formulating the gazette notice, which suggests something was wrong somewhere,” Mr. Mackeen added.
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