Jalandhar: Health workers plan strike citing government’s failure to meet salary promises

Jalandhar: Health workers providing essential HIV and AIDS services in government hospitals have expressed deep concern over the government’s continued indifference. They say that despite repeated assurances, their long-standing demands are being ignored. Working on the frontlines of public health, these workers provide vital services such as testing, counseling, assisting with treatment, distributing medications to patients, and supporting blood banks, and play a vital role in preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS. Under the banner of the Punjab AIDS Control Employees Welfare Association, the workers expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to implement the promise of a 20 percent salary increase, which they said was promised before the 2022 assembly elections.

State President Jasmel Singh Deol said that despite several meetings with government officials, including senior health officials, no concrete action has been taken on their demands. They said, “We are tirelessly serving the public, yet our genuine concerns are being ignored. Despite repeated assurances, the salary hike promise has not been implemented.” Echoing similar concerns, General Secretary Gurjant Singh stated that several rounds of talks with the government have yielded no results. He added, “Four years have passed, and not a single demand has been met. We feel frustrated and ignored. The delay has only increased our frustration.” The association further stated that with no solution in sight, they have now decided to intensify their agitation. They announced that they will surround Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal during their visit to Sirhind on March 28, and will hold the state government responsible for any situation that arises during the protest.