Hyderabad: Contract health workers to launch protests over low pay

Contract health care workers in Telangana will hold dharnas from December 2 to 4 and a Maha Dharna on December 5 demanding higher pay. The workers say they receive less than the promised salary and want new rules to ensure fair wages.

Hyderabad: Contract health care workers involved in sanitation, security and bedside care for patients in Government hospitals in Hyderabad and districts are set to launch protests from Tuesday demanding an increase in monthly remuneration.

As part of the protests, the workers, under the umbrella of Telangana Medical Contract Employees and Workers Union, will participate in a one-hour dharna in all government hospitals between December 2 and 4 and a Maha Dharna on December 5 in front of the DME office at Koti.

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“For the past several years, the sanitation, security and health care workers who provide bedside care to patients have been getting a salary of Rs 11,000 instead of the promised Rs 15,600. The agencies recruiting contract workers take advantage of loopholes in agreements and avoid paying them fully,” says Md Yousuf, president, Medical Contract Employees Union.

Union General Secretary M Narasimhulu pointed out that since the current tenure for tenders to hire contract staff has ended, new rules must be framed to ensure such contract workers receive a minimum pay of Rs 26,000 per month.

“Contract employees do the most crucial work in hospitals such as sanitation, patient care and hospital security. And yet, for the past three years, they have been deprived of their minimum wages. There is an urgent need for the State government to enhance their salaries,” Narasimhulu said.