Employees extend peaceful strike by another 72 hours, seek resolution of long-pending demands
JAMMU, Sep 12: Following the completion of their earlier 72-hour peaceful strike-cum-protest, National Health Mission (NHM) employees of Jammu Division have decided to intensify their agitation by extending the strike for another 72 hours from September 12 under the banner of the UT Level Coordination Committee of the National Health Mission Employees Association J&K.
The decision has been taken in view of what the Association described as the absence of any concrete response, positive assurance or meaningful intervention from the Government and concerned authorities towards resolving the long-pending demands of NHM employees.
Protests continued at various district and block headquarters across Jammu Division, with employees from different NHM programmes and categories participating. The employees reiterated that despite providing dedicated and uninterrupted healthcare services for years, their concerns relating to job security, social security and service-related benefits remain unresolved.
The agitation is being led in Jammu Division by Provincial President, All JKNHMEA Jammu Division, Dr. Vikas Sharma. Doctors, paramedical staff, management personnel and employees associated with NTEP and other NHM programmes have extended their support to the ongoing protest.
The major demands raised by the employees include a comprehensive job policy, job security, golden handshake, retirement and social security benefits, EPF coverage for all eligible categories, loyalty benefits for left-out NHM employees, besides other service-related issues.
The Association said the decision to extend the agitation was not taken lightly. It stated that employees had observed the earlier 72-hour strike with the expectation that the Government would respond positively and initiate meaningful dialogue. However, in the absence of a concrete resolution or satisfactory assurance, they were compelled to continue the peaceful agitation.
Chief Spokesperson, All JKNHMEA Jammu Division, Dr. Hamid Parray, said the extension of the strike reflected the determination of NHM employees to pursue their demands through peaceful and democratic means.
“We had hoped that the Government and concerned authorities would come forward with a positive and concrete response during the earlier 72 hours. Unfortunately, no satisfactory resolution has emerged so far. Therefore, the Association has decided to extend the agitation for another 72 hours from today,” he said.
Dr. Parray stressed that the employees wanted dialogue rather than confrontation and sought concrete solutions instead of repeated assurances. He said NHM employees had served people for years, often in difficult and far-flung areas, and were only seeking job security, social security and a dignified future.
He appealed to the Government to utilise the fresh 72-hour period to initiate meaningful dialogue and take concrete steps towards resolving the longstanding grievances.
The Association highlighted the contribution of NHM employees in strengthening healthcare delivery, particularly in rural, remote and far-flung areas, and said they had continued to discharge their responsibilities even during challenging public health situations.
The employees maintained that their demands were neither unreasonable nor new, but were directly linked to their livelihood, dignity, future and social security after years of service.
The Association clarified that the agitation was not against the healthcare system or the people, but was aimed at drawing the Government’s attention towards the genuine and long-pending grievances of NHM employees.
The All J&K National Health Mission Employees Association, Jammu Division, once again expressed its readiness for meaningful dialogue and urged the Government and concerned authorities to use the fresh 72-hour period beginning September 12 to take result-oriented measures for resolving the employees’ demands.