Centre approves arrears, yet PGI staff go on 24-hour strike over bonus

Outsourced workers, including security guards, hospital and sanitary attendants, of the PGI went on 24-hour strike today to press for bonus. They started the protest despite the Ministry of Finance approving their demand for pending arrears in writing today. The staff had struck work on October 10 for their demands for pending arrears and bonus.

The PGI authorities claimed that these back-to-back strikes affected patient care and were in defiance of the orders of the High Court, prohibiting such protests. The staff had called off their strike after the HC order on October 17.

The PGI authorities conveyed to the staff that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, had approved the arrears for the hospital attendants and an order by PGI had also been issued to disburse a token amount of ?10,000 to each eligible outsourced hospital attendant.

The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, has considered the request of the MoHFW in a letter signed on October 29. The approval of Rs 30 crore for payment of arrears of difference of same and similar wage, i.e. basic pay plus dearness allowance and DC rates for 1,600 hospital attendants (PGI) and Sangrur staff w.e.f. October 9, 2018, to January 12, 2024, has been received from the Ministry of Health and Family with prior approval of the Ministry of Finance.

“The PGI administration strongly urges all outsourced workers to return to their duties immediately to prioritise patient safety and ensure the continuity of care,” said an official spokesperson for the PGI.

Additionally, an order for release of bonus for eligible outsourced workers has also been issued. The administration is actively addressing any outstanding issues proactively.