As the strike of employees of National Health Mission, Haryana entered fourth day on Friday affecting the healthcare services in the State, Haryana Government has issued orders asking the employees to join their duties or else face termination.
All employees working on contract basis under National Health Mission (NHM), have been directed to join their duty by 8 am on December 9, else their services would be terminated, said Health Minister, Anil Vij. He said that in this regard, all civil surgeons have been directed to issue notices to all such employees in their respective districts so that they could join back their duties in time. Failing which, the contract of those employees would be terminated, said Vij. Over 12,000 NHM contractual workers are demanding implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission report, regularisation of their services besides other things. These workers are employed at primary health centres, urban health centres and ambulance services in Haryana.
While the NHM workers had gave a call for two-day strike which began on Tuesday, later the strike was extended for two more days.
On the demands of NHM workers, the Health Minister said that all justified demands of employees of NHM had already been fulfilled by the State Government. Their wages have been increased by three per cent and their service rules have been framed. Even after this, if they continue with their strike then strict actions would be taken against them, said he.
Vij said that their demand regarding regularisation relates to the Central Government, on which the Centre alone can take a decision. All these employees are working under a project, added he. He further said, “Referral Transport and emergency medical services would not be allowed to be suffered in any case as we have our regular employees. If NHM employees do not return to their duties on time, we would consider the alternative arrangement.”
Meanwhile, the NHM workers held protests in various districts of Haryana on Friday against the State Government’s orders asking them to join or else face termination. The copies of Government orders were burnt at various places by NHM workers to register their protest.