Srinagar: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Wednesday condemned the callous attitude of the state government towards protesting NHM employees and reiterated they are backbone of states health care system and are working with utmost dedication.
In a Statement, DAK said the continued strike has affected health services to a large extent with patients facing a lot of inconvenience in rural as well as urban hospitals along with extra work being taxed from regular staff. The Govt. should immediately meet the aggrieved NHM employees and assure them of executing their demands in black and white.
“Expressing anger and resentment over unwanted police action on democratically protesting NHM employees at Jammu, president Doctors Association Kashmir, Dr. Suhail Naik fully supported the genuine demands of protesting NHM employees.”
“These employees are working on meager salaries for last more than a decade and they don’t have any job security. The unflinching role of NHM employees in decreasing Infant mortality rate to historic 24 can’t be undermined,” said Dr Naik.
“There is dire need to chalk out a mechanism for phased and time-bound regularization of NHM employees in long-term, but as an immediate measure govt. should increase their salaries, entitle them to leave benefits and job security to get these protesting employees back to work. The government must break the silence and should come forward with a positive attitude and written assurance so that NHM employees will be willing to return to their respective duties,” he added.
“The Hon’ble Supreme Court ruling that temporary employees are also entitled to regular pay scale along with dearness allowances vindicates stand of protesting employees that their demands are genuine Dr Naik added.
Pertinently in a Supreme court verdict in a civil appeal, NO 2013 of 2013 dated 26 -10-2017, the supreme court has held that principle of equal pay for equal work has to be made applicable to all those engaged as daily wagers, contractual, or casual who perform same duties as regular employees.
Furthermore, Dr. Naik demanded that NHM employees must be entitled to full maternity leave benefits in letter & spirit.
