Patients in the lurch as PGI staff strike work
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 8
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of various employees unions of the PGI again went on 24-hour strike, leaving hundreds of patients struggling.
The PGI JAC comprising the Safai Karamchari Contract Workers Union, Security Guard Contract Workers Union, Hospital Attendant Contract Workers Union, Mahila Contract Workers Union and Electrical Contract Workers Union and Satellite Centre, Sangrur, resorted to protest as no settlement in writing under Section 2 (p) of the ID Act, 1947, could be arrived at with the PGI management on various issues.
This is the third strike by the JAC in the past three months, wherein the unions completely stayed away from various services.
The strike has raised the PGI authorities’ concerns as the 37th convocation is scheduled for August 10, wherein the Chief Justice of India (CJI) would confer degrees on students. The JCA will take a final call on August 9 if they would again go on strike the following day.
Meanwhile, patients faced a lot of trouble, majorly at the new OPD. “I was not aware of the strike and arrived in the morning. I waited for attendants for a long time, but to no avail. After waiting for over three hours, an NGO worker helped me reach the OPD on a wheelchair,” said Parminder, a patient from Jalandhar.
“There has to be a prior intimation about the strike. They must raise their demands in an ethical way. The general public is getting harassed,” said Ashutosh, a patient from Himachal Pradesh. “Owing to the absence of security personnel, there was an unmanageable rush at the OPDs. Even the NGOs volunteering in managing the rush were facing troubles,” said Pritika, another patient.
“The PGI management breached the written undertaking and also there’s no final decision on payment of arrears even after about two months. Further, there is conspicuous silence by the PGI management on the burning issue of basic plus dearness allowance. On both issues, the management had sought more time. However, it failed to resolve the issue in a peaceful and amicable manner,” Ashwani Kumar Munjal, Chairman, JAC.
“The PGI appreciates the public’s understanding and cooperation during this challenging period. This strike is both unethical and uncalled for, given the essential nature of our services. The strike, unfortunately, threatens to disrupt patient care services where many depend on PGIMER. Our primary concern is patient care, and we will go to great lengths to ensure it remains uninterrupted.
“Regular staff members have been mobilised and 37 dedicated volunteers from Project Sarathi and others from NGOs Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra and Sukh Foundation are assisting in maintaining operations,” said Prof Vivek Lal, PGIMER Director.
No agitation today
More than 4,000 contract workers, including safai karamcharis, security guards, attendants, electrical workers, record clerks, fee counter staff, receptionists, participated in the protest, which started at 6 am. Earlier, the JAC decided to protest from August 8 to 10. However, it decided to call off the protest for August 9, so that the PGI management gets an opportunity to resolve the issues amicably, claimed a spokesperson for the committee.
Workers’ demands
Their demands include absorption or regular jobs for contract labour, same wages under Rule 25 of CLRA Rules, 1971; medical facilities for contract staff who are not covered under the ESI; bonus to staff drawing wages more than ~21,000 and round-the-clock canteen facility.
