In an incisive move, MLA Bhagwandas Sabnani visited JP Hospital on Tuesday and sternly reprimanded the civil surgeon, who later promised workers that one month’s pending salary would be released by the evening.
But this assurance was just the latest in a string of hollow promises. Outsourced employees, unpaid for months, had earlier sought an audience with the Chief Minister at his residence.
The workers have been visiting offices of public representatives and hospital officials for months. Despite repeated applications and appeals, they have received little besides assurances.
More than 90 outsourced staff—sanitation workers, ward assistants and security guards—have not received full salaries. Many are owed two to five months of wages and haven’t seen PF deposits in six months.
One worker, who had pawned his motorbike based on past promises, said he’s now lost both the bike and hope. “The salary never came. Doesn’t the government see our pain?” he asked.
Fearful of losing their jobs, workers spoke anonymously. “Salary delays began when outsourcing started,” one said. “The old contractor withheld the first month’s salary and delayed the rest regularly.”
The new contractor promised payments between the 4th and 10th of every month. But it’s the 22nd now. “We’re just going in circles with our applications,” said another worker.
One woman said she walks to work daily in the heat to save money for her children’s meals. “I can’t even afford an auto. Who cares about someone like me?”
Another sanitation worker said her child’s school admission is due, rent is pending, and groceries alone cost Rs 100 a day. “If I quit, I lose my dues. If I stay, I go into debt.”
A young woman near the water cooler said she joined to support her family while studying. “I haven’t even been married long. Thank God for my in-laws,” she said quietly.
Arshad Naushad, another employee, said the previous agency still owes him four months’ salary, while the new one hasn’t paid for one. “Only those who submitted documents are being paid. What about the rest?”
Labour leader Mrinalini Singh Sengar said she raised the issue with Minister Narendra Shivaji Patel, MLA Sabnani, Habibganj Police and the CM House. “The civil surgeon only offers words, not action,” she said.
She added that the in-hand pay of Rs 9,000 is below the district’s minimum wage. “Workers are living off loans with interest. Who will cover their mounting debts?”
O P Indoria, whose agency recently took over the contract, said salaries can’t be released until workers submit documents and the department releases funds. “How can we pay from our pockets?” he asked.
Shiv Tripathi, the supervisor of the previous agency, couldn’t be reached. His phone remained switched off.
Speaking to The Pioneer following his visit to the hospital, Sabnani said, “We have spoken to civil surgeon Rakesh Srivastava and the outsourcing company. They have agreed to release a month’s salary in two days’ time. The old outsourcing company has also been instructed to release the salary backlog and resolve this issue within a week.”