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Trade unions vow to continue campaign against tax revisions
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Alliance of trade unions and mass organisations protest. Pic by Priyanka Samaraweera
By Nathara Abeywickrema
Despite relief provided by the Finance Ministry on certain non-cash benefits
the unions said they were continuing their campaigns.
More than 30 Unions this week held a protest campaign in Colombo against the increased taxes.
Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said the new tax policy has adversely affected most professionals and a significant number of doctors and trained nurses will leave the country in the coming months.
“Already about 1,000 doctors have left the country, due to the crisis created by the rulers. We have concurrently sent in strategic proposals urging the Government to resolve the shrinking economy straight off and safeguard financial stability”, he said.
The doctors were on a 24 hour token strike crippling health services in many of the hospitals.
“While those who are working in emergency services and other specialised sectors were on duty, others had withdrawn from duties in support of the nationwide protests, organised by trade unions. Not only the Doctors but thousands of professionals of all health sector unions, Bankers, Engineers and sections of Sri Lanka Administrative Services joined to defy the government’s new income tax hike, Dr Wijesinghe said.
He said they were also protesting against turning a blind eye towards the shortage of medicines.
“When health sector unions strike, they take steps to ensure that the lives of patients are not endangered. There will, of course, be inconveniences. However, the lives of patients are already in danger because of the drug shortages. Health sector unions have been trying to convince the government to do something about the shortages. The GMOA has spoken to everyone in the hierarchy but our pleas have been ignored,” he said.
“Although the strike that was geared up was slightly a success, a non-cooperation movement together with trade union action is currently underway and will be unfolded within next week if the Government fails to address our issues and give heed to our solutions” Joint Secretary of the Engineer’s Union of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Eng. Isuru Kasthuriratne said..
The Inland Revenue Department on Wednesday (8) issued a circular on exempting non-cash benefits provided to employees including vehicle, fuel allowances, housing, medical benefits etc. from the PAYE tax. These also include the value of the company shares options offered by employers, the value of the telephone allowances and concessionary rate loans acquired by the employees.
Telecom workers protest Pic by Eshan Fernando
Port Authority employees engaged in a protest. Pic by Akila Jayawardena
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