• Uni academics to continue to seek PAYE removal 
• Supplementary medicine professionals strike over DAT allowance hike denial  

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) and the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) yesterday (9)  welcomed the Government’s recent decision to double the Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance paid for Government doctors and the 25% increase in the study allowance given to university teachers.

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday (8) decided to double the DAT allowance paid for Government doctors and the 25% increase in the study allowance given to university teachers, thereby approving a proposal submitted by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation, and National Policies.

Against this backdrop, FUTA Spokesperson and Senior Lecturer Charudaththe Illangasinghe yesterday (9) told The Daily Morning that even though they positively welcome the said decision made by the Government, the FUTA will continue its stance against the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax until the Government stops taxing professionals. However, Illangasinghe noted that the recent increase in the academic allowance will be a relief for academics in continuing their studies and research. He added that the Government should also pay attention to other issues that exist in the university system. He noted that the FUTA hopes that the Government will take progressive decisions regarding the taxes imposed on professionals, which has been the major reason for the exodus of professionals. He further stressed that the FUTA will continue its actions to urge the Government to ease the PAYE tax, along with other professional trade unions. 

“We accept the recent academic allowance increase. But, we have not been officially informed by the Government regarding this decision. However, we take this as a positive sign from the Government’s end. We hope that they will address other issues too. Yet, we will not take a single step back from what we have been doing against the PAYE tax,” he said.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media yesterday, GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said that they also welcomed the Government’s decision to double the DAT allowance by almost half of the current allowance. He said this is not the amount that they asked for but thanked the President and the Government for increasing the allowance even in the midst of a difficult period in terms of the economy.

However, professionals in the supplementary medical service have launched a token strike against the Government’s decision to not provide them with the DAT allowance of Rs. 35,000. The trade union action commenced at 8 a.m. at all Government hospitals. Commenting on the matter, Joint Council for Professions of Supplementary Medicine President Ravi Kumudesh, took issue with the Cabinet’s decision to increase the DAT allowance for Government doctors but not for health professionals.

The Government also announced that it had planned to increase the cost of living allowance by Rs. 10,000 from January of this year (2024) by the Budget proposals for the year 2024 and to grant it from April 2024. However, owing to the prevailing economic situation, requests from various parties were tabled to grant at least a portion of that allowance during the first months of the year. Accordingly, considering the pressurised economic circumstances existing within the country, the Cabinet approved the resolution furnished by the President to pay a portion of 50% which will be Rs. 5,000 from the cost of living allowance that is increased from January, 2024, to all Government employees and to escalate certain allowances for medical doctors and university lecturers.