The government has taken steps to summon all state sector employees to work under health guidelines from today.
Accordingly, all circulars that have been issued pertaining to summoning limited staff and working from home to help contain the spread of COVID-19 have been annulled.
The directive was issued by the Secretary to the President PB Jayasundara on Friday to the Secretary Ministry of Public Services, Provincial Councils & Local Government JJ Rathnasiri.
The government is of the stance that resuming state services as per usual should be a priority as a majority of state sector employees have been vaccinated.
However, health units said the government must redirect its attention towards the decision. Health units have said COVID-19 may spread faster as a large group including states sector employees will use public transport from today.
The Public Health Inspector’s Union of Sri Lanka says state sector employees and their families will be inconvenienced as a result of the government’s decision amidst the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.
The PHI Union charges that although the government states all government employees have been vaccinated, it is not true.
Chairman of the PHI Union Upul Rohana said however the public must act responsibly to ensure the virus does not spread in public transport and in office.
Upul Rohana said a circular has been issued to summon all state sector employees to work, based on the directives of the Presidential Secretariat.
He claimed that PHI at grassroot level don’t agree with the decision.
Upul Rohana said when reaching this decision, the government has failed to direct attention towards crucial matters.
The Chairman of the PHI Union noted that although state sector employees have been administered vaccines against COVID-19, a majority have only received one dose adding it will not provide complete immunity.
He claimed most employees’ families have not been administered vaccines.
Rohana stated such individuals will travel to Colombo and other congested areas for work purposes and return home, with members of the household at great risk.
He expressed his regret that this matter has been overlooked. Upul Rohana added the decision will likely lead to devastating results.
