Dehradun: Patients and their attendants at Government Doon Medical College Hospital in Dehradun have been forced to clean their own rooms and washrooms as around 108 housekeeping workers continue their indefinite strike over the alleged delay in implementing revised wages.
The strike, which began on October 31, entered its third day on Monday, November 2, disrupting sanitation services across hospital wards and toilets. The situation has particularly affected vulnerable patients, including a woman who recently gave birth and patients dependent on housekeeping staff for basic care.
The workers are demanding the implementation of revised pay under the 'common work, common pay' norms. They allege that despite repeated assurances from the government, the revision has been extended to only a handful of Grade 4 housekeeping workers, while the remaining staff continue to receive their earlier remuneration.
The workers have accused the hospital administration of delaying the process for months. The administration, however, maintains that documents submitted by the 108 employees are being verified before the revised payments can be implemented.
The impact of the strike has been visible across the hospital. According to a report by The Times of India, patients and their family members have been cleaning their own rooms and washrooms amid concerns over hygiene and the risk of infections.
One such case is that of Saloni Bharti, who recently gave birth and was admitted to a private ward. Her mother, Babita, has reportedly been cleaning the room and washroom herself, concerned about the possibility of infection.
The strike has also affected three destitute patients admitted to the hospital who depend on housekeeping workers for basic care, including cleaning and bathing. Nursing staff told TOI that these patients have been left without the assistance they previously received from the housekeeping workers.
Meanwhile, the hospital administration held a meeting with the protesting workers on Monday and decided to constitute a committee to facilitate the process. Medical superintendent Dr. RS Bisht said a positive resolution had been reached during the meeting, but a written order was still awaited.
The workers, however, remain dissatisfied, alleging that the administration has repeatedly sought more time without providing a definite timeline for implementing the revised wages. Vishnu Prasad, general secretary of the housekeeping union, said repeated assurances and delays had left the workers with little confidence in the process.
This is not the first time the workers have gone on strike over the issue. They had also staged a protest in September, which was called off after the government assured them that their wages would be revised by the end of the month. However, the workers allege that the assurance was only partially implemented, prompting them to resume their agitation.
The workers have maintained that they will continue the strike until their demand is addressed. While some housekeeping workers have continued cleaning intensive care units on humanitarian grounds, normal sanitation services across the hospital remain affected.
A response from Government Doon Medical College principal Prof. (Dr.) Geeta Jain is awaited. The story will be updated once a response is received.
(With inputs from media reports)