Government talks tough, forces striking docs to return to work
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Chennai:2.11.2019
A week after boycotting work, barring emergencies, across government hospitals, doctors were forced to return to duty on Friday. The government had flexed its muscles, transferred some doctors who spearheaded the strike, and vowed disciplinary action including dismissal. Although doctors did all they could, including staging a fast unto death, the government refused to engage them in talks until they withdrew the strike.
The Federation of Government Doctors Association – a group of five associations – began the strike on October 25 demanding increase in salaries, recruitment of more doctors and 50% quota for service candidate in PG medical admission. When health minister C Vijayabaskar and health secretary Beela Rajesh refused to meet them until they withdrew the strike, five doctors went on a hunger strike demanding an appointment with the chief minister.
On Wednesday, after several warnings, 70 doctors were transferred to districts including remote and hilly regions. The health department issued showcause notices for initiating disciplinary action against some doctors for violating service rules and preventing colleagues from discharging duties. Police were posted on campuses to discourage protesters from gathering in more members.
On Thursday, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Vijayabaskar said they would replace the posts of doctors abstaining from work with internal transfers or new recruits. The government said week-long absence would be considered break in service. At 8pm on Thursday, the association told reporters it would not yield to government threats and would continue to protest until demands were met, but support dwindled.
On Friday, when the deadline given by the government was to about end, the federation withdrew the strike. “Directors of health spoke to us. They assured us that the government was looking into our demands seriously. We have withdrawn our strike with the hope that our demands will be met. We want the government to call us for talks and withdraw all disciplinary action taken against us,” FOGDA convenor Dr P Balakrishnan told reporters. He was one of those transferred out of Chennai’s Stanley Medical College and Hospital. Several association leaders and district heads were also transferred.
Vijayabaskar said no action would be taken against doctors back at work.
While senior advocate R Vaigai said most protesters should consolidate themselves better to face challenges thrown by an indifferent government, other legal experts said it was time to acknowledge that strikes no longer worked. “Teachers, transport employees or doctors, all of them were asked to withdraw the strike before talks. Courts too have been supportive of the government strategy,” said senior advocate S Prabakaran.
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Chennai:2.11.2019
A week after boycotting work, barring emergencies, across government hospitals, doctors were forced to return to duty on Friday. The government had flexed its muscles, transferred some doctors who spearheaded the strike, and vowed disciplinary action including dismissal. Although doctors did all they could, including staging a fast unto death, the government refused to engage them in talks until they withdrew the strike.
The Federation of Government Doctors Association – a group of five associations – began the strike on October 25 demanding increase in salaries, recruitment of more doctors and 50% quota for service candidate in PG medical admission. When health minister C Vijayabaskar and health secretary Beela Rajesh refused to meet them until they withdrew the strike, five doctors went on a hunger strike demanding an appointment with the chief minister.
On Wednesday, after several warnings, 70 doctors were transferred to districts including remote and hilly regions. The health department issued showcause notices for initiating disciplinary action against some doctors for violating service rules and preventing colleagues from discharging duties. Police were posted on campuses to discourage protesters from gathering in more members.
On Thursday, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Vijayabaskar said they would replace the posts of doctors abstaining from work with internal transfers or new recruits. The government said week-long absence would be considered break in service. At 8pm on Thursday, the association told reporters it would not yield to government threats and would continue to protest until demands were met, but support dwindled.
On Friday, when the deadline given by the government was to about end, the federation withdrew the strike. “Directors of health spoke to us. They assured us that the government was looking into our demands seriously. We have withdrawn our strike with the hope that our demands will be met. We want the government to call us for talks and withdraw all disciplinary action taken against us,” FOGDA convenor Dr P Balakrishnan told reporters. He was one of those transferred out of Chennai’s Stanley Medical College and Hospital. Several association leaders and district heads were also transferred.
Vijayabaskar said no action would be taken against doctors back at work.
While senior advocate R Vaigai said most protesters should consolidate themselves better to face challenges thrown by an indifferent government, other legal experts said it was time to acknowledge that strikes no longer worked. “Teachers, transport employees or doctors, all of them were asked to withdraw the strike before talks. Courts too have been supportive of the government strategy,” said senior advocate S Prabakaran.
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