Medical college teachers oppose govt move to reduce vacation

The teaching faculty of medical colleges from across the state have lodged a protest against the state government’s move to reduce their vacation. “The proposal not only diminishes our earned leave, but also fails to recognise the unique demands made to the medical faculty, who are tasked with both patient care and academic responsibilities,” the teaching faculty said in a press note issued here.

They said that they work under demanding conditions, balancing education, research and clinical care. “The reduction in vacation days will add an unfair burden to our already challenging workload,” they added.

The protesters claimed that the medical college teaching faculty received only half the number of earned leave as compared to other state government employees and any further reduction in the vacations days would erode earned leave. Besides, the faculty members said that unlike many other government employees, they were not entitled to time off on second Saturday, do not get three consecutive holidays as hospitals could not be closed for three days in a row.

The teaching faculty urged the government to withdraw the decision to reduce their vacation.