Protests by NHM Employees in Assam Demand Equal Pay and Benefits
Ongoing Protests by NHM Employees
Dergaon, Nov 5: Following the call from the All Assam Health and Technical Welfare Association (AAHTWA) and the National Health Mission Employees' Association (NEA), protests led by National Health Mission (NHM) employees across Assam have now entered their second day.
In Golaghat, health workers from various sectors under the NHM participated in a protest at the Joint Director of Health Services' office. They are advocating for the implementation of a pay scale system for all NHM employees, which they believe is essential for financial security and equitable pay in line with the Pay Commission and the Supreme Court's ruling (Verdict No. 213 of 2013).
Additionally, they are calling for the full implementation of the Assam Gazette Notification, 2021, No: HLA. 409/2020/Pt /55, to ensure that NHM employees receive benefits such as gratuity, pensions, and death benefits comparable to regular government employees.
According to reports from North Lakhimpur, the ongoing three-day strike by NHM employees has severely impacted health services in the district. The local NHM Employees Association has been conducting a sit-in protest since Monday, demanding equal pay for equal work, gratuity benefits akin to those of regular employees, and the implementation of Provident Fund schemes.
This protest, organized by the National Health Mission Employees Association and the All Assam Health and Technical Welfare Association in Lakhimpur, is set to continue until November 5.
Association leaders have warned that the protests will persist if the State government fails to address their longstanding demands. They are urging authorities to take immediate action to ensure fair treatment, financial security, and equal benefits for all NHM employees in the state.
During the sit-in, senior medical and health officials, along with paramedical staff, addressed the protesting NHM employees, including nurses who participated in the demonstration.
NHM employees have largely refrained from their regular duties, except for emergency services, significantly affecting healthcare delivery in the district.
In Darrang district, nearly 800 NHM employees joined the statewide agitation on Monday, supporting their demands. Wearing black badges, they staged a sit-in demonstration in front of the Joint Director of Health Services' office, boycotting their official duties due to the government's inaction on their grievances despite previous discussions.
Leaders from the district's employee associations, including NEAA president Himangshu Baruah and AAHTWA president Dr. Ajimuddin Ahmed, spoke at the event, urging the government to promptly address their five key demands, which include enforcing the Apex Court's ruling for equal pay for equal work.