NHM workers threaten to go on two-day strike

GURUGRAM: Workers of National Health Mission (NHM) have threatened to go on a strike on February 5 and 6 if their wages are not increased. The workers said their pay has not increased in past one year.
On Tuesday, the workers handed over a memorandum to civil surgeon Dr B K Rajora which included their demands. The workers asked for permanent employment, allowances for uniform, children’s education and travelling, medical benefits, leaves and overtime for drivers. The workers said that they want the rules to be implemented according to the recommendations of the committee that included NHM representatives.

Previously, the NHM workers had threatened to go on strike thrice in past one year. Recently, they planned to abstain from work from January 3 and 4. However, due to an outbreak of swine flu, the health department had requested them to not leave their duties and also assured of resolving their grievances at the earliest.

However, Hariraj, state secretary of NHM said their problems haven’t been resolved despite repeated reminders.

The workers have also objected to outsourcing of services and have demanded that even the outsourced employees be included in NHM. The outsourced staff include drivers, data entry operators, information assistants, computer assistants among others.