Seeking implementation of 7th pay panel, NHM employees suspend work for 3 days

At least 700 employees of National Health Mission (NHM) engaged with the health department suspended work for three days starting Monday. They are demanding implementation of 7th pay panel

At least 700 employees of the National Health Mission (NHM) engaged with the health department suspended work for three days starting Monday. They are demanding the implementation of the 7th pay commission and a rollback of the recommendations of the finance department reportedly to provide a consolidated salary.

Most of the NHM employees of the Ambala district protested under the banner of the Swasthya Karmachari Sangh, affiliated to the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), outside the office of the civil surgeon. They are demanding implementation of 7th pay panel. (HT Photo/ Representational image)

Most of the NHM employees of the Ambala district protested under the banner of the Swasthya Karmachari Sangh, affiliated to the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), outside the office of the civil surgeon. The BMS is a trade union affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The protesters included those in clerical and emergency services at various government hospitals and health facilities, while the government is said to have made enough arrangements so that patients should not suffer.

The union has expressed concern that the suggestion might lead to financial losses for the employees at a time when they have worked tirelessly amid the pandemic.

District president of Swasthya Karmachari Sangh Tarandeep said by taking the health services to the last man standing, NHM employees ensured that the vaccination coverage touches 200 crore in India.

“This is because of our hard work that since 1999 the maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate at home delivery and others are at the lowest, while government institutional delivery, high-risk pregnancy identification and full immunisation coverage have improved drastically. However, some bureaucrats are misleading the government against us,” he said in a statement.

District epidemiologist Dr Sunil Hari said, “The recommendations include the scrapping of the bylaws and benefits like DA, cashless, medical, etc. from the NHM employees, calling us contractual. The government intends to pay a fixed salary, which will lead to huge financial loss to the employees other than the said benefits. If the demands are not met, the agitation can go on indefinitely.”