Labour institute docs to move court

Medical directors of the Central Labour Institute in Sion have threatened to move court against the Ministry of Labour and Employment because certain recommendations of the sixth pay commission have not yet been implemented for them.

Medical directors of the Central Labour Institute in Sion have threatened to move court against the Ministry of Labour and Employment because certain recommendations of the sixth pay commission have not yet been implemented for them.

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The ministry, though, claims that the recommendations do not apply to them since they are non-practising doctors.

“We look into the health aspects of labourers, diagnose their problems, research the hazards of their industry and even advise on laws governing the industry. Still, the government is not ready to give us our due,” said Dr P.P. Lanjewar, deputy medical director at the institute.

Members of the institute have written to the ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office.

The recommendation of the commission covers all medical doctors under the Dynamic Assured Career Progression Scheme, which assures the doctors of time-bound promotions.

“The ministry has refused to implement this stating that we are not practising medicine,” said Dr Shakti Waghe, medical director of the institute.

“We’re paid non-practising allowances and have the same functions as doctors in the various departments of medical colleges. Yet they are covered under the scheme and we aren’t. This is humiliating,” he added.

The doctors intend to take the matter before the Central Administrative Tribunal on Tuesday. A.C. Pandey, joint secretary at the Labour Ministry, said, “I had recently met the doctors and listened to their problems. I will look into the matter shortly.”