Vij to NHM workers: Join work or face axe
CHANDIGARH : Haryana health minister Anil Vij on Friday gave an ultimatum to the employees working on contractual basis under the National Health Mission (NHM) asking them to join their duty by 8am on Saturday or face termination.
Vij said all civil surgeons have been directed to issue notices to all such employees in their respective districts so that they could join back in time.
He said all justified demands of NHM workers have already been fulfilled by the state government. Their wages have been increased by 3 per cent and their service rules have been framed. Even after this, if they continued with their strike strict actions will be taken against them.
Referring to their demands of regularisation, he said only the central government can take a decision on this.
“Referral transport and emergency medical services will not be allowed to be suffered at any cost for which we have our regular employees. If the National Health Mission employees do not return in time, we will consider alternative arrangement,’’ he added.
About 12,000 National Health Mission employees, including para-medical staff, lab technicians, pharmacists, multi-purpose health workers and information assistants, have been on strike since November 5.
Their main demands include 14.29% increase (equivalent to 7th pay commission) in their salaries as has been given to other contractual employees working in boards and corporations, framing of service bylaws and regularisation of their services.