The Joint Federation of Paramedical Professionals in Sri Lanka has announced potential industrial action due to unresolved salary and allowance disparities between paramedical and nursing staff. President Chanaka Dharmawickrama emphasized efforts to resolve the issue through negotiations but indicated that strikes remain a possibility if discussions fail.
In a related development, the Executive Council of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) convened to address concerns over salary revisions presented in the recent budget. An expert committee is scheduled to conduct a detailed study, with findings to be discussed at an emergency central committee meeting on Friday, where the GMOA’s official stance will be determined.
These developments underscore ongoing tensions within Sri Lanka’s health sector regarding compensation structures. Historically, health workers have engaged in strikes to protest salary anomalies and other issues, as seen in February 2022 when an indefinite strike was launched over the government’s failure to address such concerns.
The outcome of the upcoming meetings and potential industrial actions could significantly impact the country’s healthcare services, highlighting the critical need for equitable compensation and effective dialogue between health professionals and authorities.
