The Health Trade Union Collective has warned that all trade unions in the country apart from health unions will launch an island-wide strike collectively if the government does not officially close the country within this week.
Speaking during a media briefing in Colombo, Convenor of the Collective Ravi Kumudesh said all trade unions will convene today to discuss the matter.
Ravi Kumudesh said if the government fails to reach decisions and listen to health authorities amidst the critical situation at present, trade unions will launch a strike action, and only health services will function.
Kumudesh said the strike will be launched to ensure all persons remain at home, and not based on demands.
He noted accordingly discussions will be held with trade unions in the postal, railway, teachers and banking sectors, to take forward a lockdown.
He requested the government to take prompt steps and listen to health authorities, adding that failure to do so will affect the health sector and push the country towards a disaster.
Ravi Kumudesh further stated the country’s health services has gotten a black mark as the daily COVID-19 mortality rate takes a high value in comparison to the global COVID-19 death rate.
He attributed it to the inability to manage data and irregularities when collecting data.
He noted health officials must be responsible for reducing the number of PCR tests conducted, which led to the country’s mortality rate increasing abnormally.
He claimed only 15,000 PCR tests are conducted daily, despite the ability to conduct more tests, in an attempt to conceal the number of COVID-19 cases reported in the country.
Ravi Kumudesh claimed there are five times as many patients as the ones identified, based on the existing data.
He stated 20% of patients are identified through persons showing symptoms and getting tested, adding that no patients are being tracked down or identified through random tests.
Kumudesh claimed if 80% of patients are asymptomatic, that is already four times the number of identified patients, going undetected.
He added the irregularities have led to the mortality rate in the country.
Kumudesh noted if the number of PCR tests conducted is doubled, the deaths can be reduced.
