Hospital staff call off strike

Delhi government hospital employees, who had planned to strike work for 24 hours on Tuesday and for 48 hours from September 24, have called off their strike after being assured by the health ministry that it would look into their demands.

On Monday, employee leaders, under the banner of Delhi Rajya Swashtya Karamchari Sanyukt Sangarsh Samiti (DRSKSSS), met state health secretary SCL Das, who assured them that the health ministry would consider their demands.

The group C, D employees, nurses, paramedical staff and contract workers had prepared a list of 16 demands that included 25 per cent patient care allowance (PCA), filling of empty posts at the hospital and permanent jobs for employees hired on contract basis.

“The secretary assured us that the proposal of PCA would be sent to the cabinet soon. We have also been assured that a meeting with concerned officials would be arranged for discussion on permanent jobs for contractual workers,” said Raghuvinder Singh, general secretary of DRSKSSS, while speaking to Deccan Herald.

DRSKSSS’ general secretary added, “Our other demands too will be looked into.”
The government, meanwhile, had already warned the employees of strict action if they paralysed health services in the state.

Strategically placed next to the posters calling for strike at all Delhi government hospitals, the government notice pointed out that as per the Haryana Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1974, as extended to NCT of Delhi, any form of strike(s) that affects the delivery of healthcare services is prohibited.

It warned that any employee indulging in a strike or non-cooperation in work shall be liable for prosecution under the provisions of relevant laws and rules.

Had the strike gone ahead as planned, work at all departments, except the emergency, would have suffered. While services would continue to be provided by doctors, none of the laboratory tests, including X-rays and ECG tests would be conducted. Services at the operation theatres too would have been paralysed.