The Joint Council of Professions Supplementary to Medicine (JCPSM) has raised concerns that the government’s budget proposal for the year includes measures to cut the allowances of health sector employees.
Chanaka Dharmawickrama, the Secretary of JCPSM, revealed that the union has been informed of these proposed cuts and issued a stern warning to the government.
Speaking to the media, Dharmawickrama stated that the Minister of Health would be given a week to address the issue and engage in discussions regarding the budget proposal’s impact on health sector workers.
He further emphasized that if no action is taken to resolve the matter, the JCPSM would be compelled to initiate trade union action as a form of protest.
The concerns raised by the JCPSM come as part of broader discontent within the public sector regarding the government’s budget plans.
Teacher TUs disappointed
In a related issue, Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thero, President of the Association of Education Professionals, also expressed disappointment over the lack of provisions for an expected salary increase for school teachers and principals.
According to Thero, the budget did not include any provisions for the anticipated raise, leaving educators frustrated and concerned about the lack of recognition for their work.
Both groups are now calling for immediate dialogue with the relevant authorities, warning that failure to address these issues may lead to industrial actions that could disrupt services in both the education and health sectors.
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