Doctors, port workers launch token strike

Doctors and  Port workers, among several other sectors launched their trade union action today morning ahead of a proposed general strike by Wednesday, over a series of demands including reduction of taxes.

Doctors in state hospitals in the Western, Southern, Central and Eastern provinces launched a token strike that is expected to continue for 24 hours.

Their 24 hour token strike will be launched in four other provinces tomorrow.

Port employees too are on a 24 hour work to rule campaign.

Trade Unions are to step up their activities this week.

The Spokesman of the Government Medical Officers Association, Chamil Wijesinghe said that on Wednesday, March 15, all doctors would be striking  while further action would depend upon the reaction of the Government.

However, Mr. Wijesinghe assured that emergency services and cancer, children’s, maternal, kidney, mental and military hospitals would not be affected.

The President of the Ceylon Bank Employees Union, Channa Dissanayake said that they would be striking on March 15 if negotiations are not reached by then.

The Professional Trade Union Alliance had met with the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance on Friday, where they were told that the Government cannot adjust any  taxes  for a period of at least six months.

Bank employees are planning to wear black and report to work today.

On Tuesday, there would be protests in the Lake House roundabout of Colombo as well as other protests in major cities of Sri Lanka. On Wednesday, if the Government refuses to negotiate, they would launch a strike, he said.

Several other sectors too are due to join the protest and strike campaigns.