Contractual nurses, Class-IV employees go on strike at Ludhiana civil hospital

Demanding hike in salaries and job regularisation, the contractual nursing staff and Class-IV employees, deployed at Covid-19 duty at the civil hospital, went on an indefinite strike on Friday

Demanding a hike in salaries and job regularisation, the contractual nursing staff and class-IV employees, who were deployed at Covid-19 duty at the civil hospital, went on an indefinite strike here on Friday.

The contractual nurses and class-IV employees staging a protest at the civil hospital in Ludhiana on Friday. (HT Photo)

As many as 50 employees, who sat on dharna, rued that they have been working on very less wages for many years. Also, during this challenging time, they are made to work overtime on meagre salaries, they added.

“We have been forced to protest. Many of us are risking our lives and doing our duty for a mere salary of Rs 6,500. The class-IV employees are working in the same unit for a salary of Rs 4,500,” said a protesting nurse.

The protesters said government should give them permanent jobs and all the employees should also be covered under the state’s insurance policy.

“We are working overtime on meagre salaries, but no effort has been made by the government to put us on permanent roll,” she added.

Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) AS Bain pacified them and assured them that all their demands would be forwarded to the state government, but they refused to lift their dharna.

Meanwhile, the protesting staff also got the backing of the opposition party after the BJP leader Pravin Basal joined the protesters and sat with them on dharna.

However, despite repeated attempts the civil hospital authorities could not be reached for the comment.