The three major Government hospitals in the city—PGI, GMCH 32 and GMSH 16—have different pay structure for the same work for a section of the employees.
In Government Medical College and Hospital 32, the outsourced employees who are working as Attendant Hospital are being given the salary of Attendant. This is in violation of the rates fixed by the Deputy Commissioner and is an exploitation of the workers, many employees working here alleged.
The health workers and the unions say that they have raised the issue several times in the past with the authorities concerned—labour Commissioner as well as the Chandigarh Administration-- but to no avail.
Secretary (Press) of the Attendant Union of GMCH, Vikram, said that they are being taken the work of Nurse Attendant for a long time but when it comes to salary, they are being exploited. After pressure from the Union, GMCH 32 sent a letter in 2017 to the Secretary, Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh for pay parity. However, five months down the line, Chandigarh Administration is yet to take any steps on this.
In the hospital, three categories have been created—Attendant, Attendant Hospital and Nurse Attendant but the work profile of all three is the same. This is to help in the work of the doctors and be in attendance of the patient and do their bidding.
According to the DC rate, the salary of Nurse Attendant is Rs 17,295 per month but despite being given the designation of Attendant Hospital, a salary of only 12,747 is being given which is in violation of the labour laws, the members of the Union alleged.
Union leaders said that if they do not get the arrears and the salary this financial year, the Budget of 2017 for this account would go back unspent and they will be denied their due rights.
When contacted, UT Finance Secretary Ajoy Kumar Sinha said that the department has got several complaints on this in the past and the idea of the administration was to give whatever is due to the employees. He said a team of the Administration is on the job and the employees should get whatever is due.