Shadow Correspondent
Jammu,Jan, 22
Incessant rains notwithstanding, hundreds of employees working under National Health Mission today conducted a mega-protest at Press Club Jammu.
Employees from across Jammu region and many of their counterparts from Kashmir valley reached the venue early in the morning and continued their protests till afternoon hours.
Near about 9000 employees from across Jammu & Kashmir have been on strike for last 9 days and held protests in favour of their demands including formulation of a regularization policy.
The employees that include doctors, managerial staff and paramedics are also seeking the benefit of Supreme Court guidelines on Equal Pay for Equal work.
It may be worth mentioning that the employees had held protests and strike last year as well and had called off the strike after written assurances from then Health Minister Bali Bhagat. However, the employees say that the commitments are yet to see the light of the day despite passage of one year since.
“At this stage of life when we have dedicated 12 years of our service to the department there is no other alternative. We need a secure future as we cannot apply for fresh jobs or think of a career change at this stage”, said All J&K NHM Employees Association President Jammu division Rohit Seth. HE added that Haryana state has already implemented a policy for giving equal pay to NHM employees at par with other employees. “Even contractual employees in J&K state have been given the benefit of minimum of scale pay under SRO 384. We appeal the Governor to provide justice to us”, he added.
The employees said the Governor Satya Pal Malik has assured them that their just demands will be fulfilled and a meeting to consider the same shall be held shortly. “We are extremely hopeful of a positive outcome of the meeting and hope that we shall not have to continue our protests”, said Altaf Ahmad Bhat, Vice President of the Association’s Kashmir province.
At the venue, the employees raised slogans in favour of their demands and resolved to continue their protest till fulfillment of their demands.
Meanwhile, protests and strike was also held across Kashmir valley on Monday in favour of demands of the employees. “Due to inclement weather gathering at central place could not be held and as a result it was decided that protests shall be held at district and block headquarters”, said Association spokesperson Abdul Rauoof.
