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Strikes sans ethical principles

Those with the public interest at heart are likely to readily endorse the firm measures adopted by the Government to bring a degree of normalcy to our principal hospitals, which are reeling under a strike by minor employees of the health sector. Just a few days back another inhuman strike by Government doctors brought chaos and paralysis to State hospitals, only to be followed by this one by minor employees which would fill the people's cup of sorrow to overflowing.

It is as if the minor employees have taken the cue from their superior officers, the doctors, who strike one as stopping at nothing until their selfish ends are met. When callous, inhuman behaviour reigns at the upper reaches of the "health service", how could one expect their subordinates to act differently? At least now, would the doctors correctly assess the far-reaching, negative effects of their unethical conduct? Is the GMOA sans an inspiring moral leadership?

All this does not mean that the health sector minor employees could absolve themselves of a sense of responsibility towards the public and the State. Far from it. These trade unions of the minor employees should impartially assess the terrible consequences of their actions.

At least a sense of fellow feeling for the majority of patients seeking treatment at State sector hospitals - who are poor - should have prevented them from being cats paws of certain opposition political forces, who seem to be wildly egging them on.

However, the Government cannot evade its responsibilities towards the people. It is compelled to use every legitimate means to meet public needs. Hence the series of measures it has launched to keep the health services going. In view of the adverse consequences to the public from strikes of this kind, we call for firm handling of such crises by the State. Nevertheless, we also advocate a reconciliatory stance on the part of the Government towards the striking unions, to enable both parties to resolve their differences through a dialogue process.

The fact that such strikes are being precipitated in the State sector, despite Government pledges to address the salary issue of public servants, points to the presence of opposition political forces in these crises. These developments seem to bear the stamp of political enemies of the State who are desperate for a taste of power. We call on these political forces to think awhile before immersing themselves further in this suicidal course. The crippling of the State services only spells more misery for the people. They need to remember that the rulers per se are hardly affected by these crises. It is only the people who wilt and die, when they are deprived of essentials.

What is further disconcerting about these strikes is that they are launched in authoritarian fashion by a few office bearers of trade unions. We wonder whether democratic procedures are adopted in learning the wishes of the majority of the membership of these trade unions - doctors and minor employees alike. The time's ripe for this silent majority to assert itself and to enforce its moral authority over the few hot heads at the top of the striking unions.

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