National Health Mission (NHM) employees across Punjab have announced a protest against the state government in Ferozepur on August 15, threatening an indefinite strike if their long-pending demands are not met.
Ludhiana-based union leaders declared that contractual health workers would march through the city carrying black flags on Independence Day if authorities fail to issue formal notifications addressing their grievances.
The announcement was made by the NHM Employees Union amid resentment among contractual health workers over the alleged delay in fulfilling their demands.
The announcement stems from resentment among employees over alleged delays and unfulfilled promises regarding their service-related issues.
Dr Shivraj Singh, a state-level union leader from Ludhiana, pointed out that NHM employees have been working in contractual positions for years despite repeated assurances from the government concerning regularisation and related benefits. He alleged that officials have repeatedly called the union for meetings, but their demands have not been resolved.
“While the country will celebrate Independence Day, NHM employees continue to work under the contractual system. We are being forced to intensify our struggle to come out of this system,” Singh stated.
{{/usCountry}}“While the country will celebrate Independence Day, NHM employees continue to work under the contractual system. We are being forced to intensify our struggle to come out of this system,” Singh stated.
{{/usCountry}}The union’s demands include a substantial salary hike, regularisation or an end to the contractual system, the issuance of a notification regarding gratuity, and an increase in the upper age limit for employees.
State president Sandeep Kaur Barnala noted that the government has not granted any salary increase to NHM staff during its tenure, warning that the agitation will escalate if official notifications are not issued by August 15.
Union leaders emphasised that despite providing health services under various state healthcare initiatives, contractual employees have seen no meaningful improvement in their service conditions.
According to the union, unless an emergency meeting is convened and a concrete decision is taken before August 15, workers will proceed with the black-flag protest march in Ferozepur and launch an indefinite strike following the rally.