JAMMU: National Health Mission (NHM) medical staff in Bhalessa district have launched a 72-hour strike against the state government, alleging that 2.5 days’ worth of salary has been deducted from their monthly pay. The protest is being held outside the sub-district Hospital in Gandoh, where staff have gathered to demand the release of the deducted wages and parity with regular employees. One of the protestors said, “Our regular staff’s salary for 2.5 days should be released. Why are we from NHM not getting equal salary? I request the state government to increase our salary or make us regular.” Another protestor added, “This protest is for the salary of 2.5 days. We used to get the salary for 2.5 days because we did our duty on Sundays, gazetted holidays and nights. This government has deducted our salary. Medical Employees Federation of Jammu and Kashmir released a notice that we will go on a 72 hour strike today.” The striking workers say they had previously been compensated for duties performed on Sundays, public holidays and night shifts, but claim the recent deductions have impacted their earnings. The strike has been called following a notice issued by the Medical Employees Federation of Jammu and Kashmir.
