PHI Union on strike due to GMOA vaccination prioritization

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Public Health Inspectors' Union of Sri Lanka (PHI) and 10 other Trade Unions will refrain from services today (May 25) in the Western Province, citing issues of the COVID-19 vaccination drive. "None of the duties that should be performed concerning the prevention of COVID-19 will NOT be carried out today (May 25)," Mahendra Balasuriya, the Secretary of the Public Health Inspectors' Union of Sri Lanka told News 1st. According to the PHI Union, family members related to members of the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) were administered the COVID-19 vaccine deviating from the due process. "Especially, family members including parents and staff related to the members of the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) were administered the second dose of the COVISHIELD jab yesterday (May 24)," Balasuriya revealed. While emphasizing that the PHI Union had NO problem with providing the vaccine to them in this manner, Balauriya noted that others in the healthcare system also require the jab. "We do NOT have a problem with this. However, many others in the healthcare system also require the vaccine. Therefore, there is a problem in administering the vaccine ONLY to them. We are conducting this trade union action in objection to this act, and to ensure the rights of the people against an act of such inequality," Mahendra Balasuriya, the Secretary of the Public Health Inspectors' Union of Sri Lanka emphasized.