Strike to continue as talks fail between officials, NHM staff

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 22

As talks between the protesting National Health Mission (NHM) employees and health officials failed today, the indefinite strike being observed by the Chandigarh NHM Employees’ Union (CNEU) will continue. The employees went on strike on Monday.

The CNEU said they were not convinced with the outcome of the meeting held with the Mission Director, NHM, UT, today.

“All points were discussed with the Mission Director who informed us that he will take up the matter with the government. Members of the union are not convinced with the minutes of the meeting as the same things were assured in the previous meetings, but nothing has been implemented yet. This time, we want the implementation of equal pay for equal work on a par with the NHM, Haryana,” said Amit Kumar, general secretary, CNEU.

Dr G Dewan, Mission Director, said the indefinite strike by the NHM employees was illegal and patients should not face any difficulty due to the strike.

“We will seek directions from the High Court against the illegal strike of the NHM employees,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Labour Commissioner (ALC) has asked the health authorities as well as the protesting employees to exercise restraint keeping in view the gravity and sensitivity of the matter.

The ALC said the strike was illegal and had called for a conciliation meeting on August 26.

“A letter has been received from the Mission Director, NHM, giving details of the activities undertaken by the union, which were illegal during the pendency of the demand notice as per provisions contained under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947,” said the notice issued by the ALC.