Contractual health staff threaten state-wide stir over unpaid salaries

Kumar Prabhat

Dumka

The contractual and outsourced employees of the state health department have announced a state-wide, one-day protest on June 19 outside Civil Surgeon offices across all district headquarters. The demonstration, backed by the Jharkhand State Non-Gazetted Employees Federation, Ranchi, comes in response to the prolonged delay in the clearance of their monthly honorariums.

Taking a step forward in their agitation, a delegation of the Jharkhand Medical and Public Health Employees Association, Dumka, led by District Secretary Kailash Kumar Sah, met with the Civil Surgeon, the Deputy Commissioner, and the Sub-Divisional Officer on Wednesday to serve an official memorandum regarding the upcoming protest.

Union representatives expressed deep concern over the mounting financial distress faced by the workforce. They stated that the non-payment of salaries for several months has pushed low-income workers to the brink, making it exceptionally difficult to sustain their families, fund their children’s education, or afford medical care for elderly dependents.

The union also brought to light the plight of frontline field workers who navigate remote rural pockets to deliver crucial healthcare services. With inflation on the rise, these employees are finding it increasingly difficult to even cover their daily travel and fuel expenses. The association reiterated that the June 19 strike is a direct result of administrative apathy, demanding the immediate release of all back pay.

Key union members, including Santosh Kumar, Mohammad Wahid, Tapan Kumar Thakur, Manmohan Kumar, Sonali Ruj, Usha Kumari, and Madhumita Tudu, were present during the submission of the memorandum.