Hyderabad: Field level contract healthcare workers working in government hospitals in Telangana staged an hour-long protest on Tuesday. The employees expressed their anger against the government over their pending demands and demanded immediate salary hike, timely payment and resolution of other problems.
The protest was led by the Telangana Medical Contract Employees and Workers Union, an organization affiliated with the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC). The employees have warned that if immediate action is not taken on their demands, they will be forced to resort to a major agitation.
One hour demonstration in government hospitals
On Tuesday, contract employees protested for an hour in various government hospitals of the state. During this, the employees raised slogans regarding their problems and demanded an early solution from the government.
Sanitation workers, patient care staff, security staff and other contractual health workers participated in the demonstration. Employees say that they have been facing problems like low salary and delay in payment for a long time.
Demand to increase salary
The main demand of contract healthcare workers is increase in wages. Employees say that in the era of rising inflation, it has become difficult to meet the family expenses with the current salary.
He said that their role in the health system is very important, but despite this they are not getting the same facilities and respect as the permanent employees.
The employees have demanded from the government to review their salary structure and increase it as soon as possible.
Big demonstration announced on Thursday
The union leaders have announced that if their demands are not addressed, a big demonstration will be held in front of the Director of Medical Education (DME) office in Koti, Hyderabad on Thursday.
The union has said that this movement will be taken forward in a phased manner. The employees have also warned that if their problems are not resolved, they may take steps to affect essential services and go on strike in hospitals.
allegation of delay in payment
AITUC State Deputy General Secretary M. Narasimha alleged that there was a gap between the claims being made by the government and the ground situation.
He said that even though the government claims timely payment, many contract employees working in government hospitals are still waiting for their salaries.
He said that the employees doing important work like cleaning, patient care and security in hospitals are troubled by the delay in payment.
Fear of impact on health services
Contract employees are an important part of the health system of government hospitals. Responsibilities like cleanliness, patient assistance and security depend on a large number of contract employees.
In such a situation, if the employees go on strike, there is a possibility that the normal services of the hospitals will be affected.
However, the union has only given a warning and expressed hope to find a solution through talks with the government.
Other demands of employees also pending
Employees say their problems are not limited to salaries alone. They are also demanding job security, better working conditions and other facilities.
Union leaders said that despite working for many years, contract employees are not getting the same facilities as permanent employees.
Hope for talks with the government
The employees have appealed to the government to seriously consider their demands and find a solution soon.
The union says that the employees do not want to affect the health services, but due to continuous neglect they are having to adopt the path of agitation.
keeping an eye on future strategy
For now, Tuesday’s protest remained peaceful. Now everyone’s eyes are on the proposed big demonstration to be held on Thursday.
If a solution is not found through talks between the government and the employees, health services may be affected in the coming days.
The further situation will be clear only after the demands of the contract healthcare workers and the response of the government.
