Sanitation staff strike work, but services unaffected

Chandigarh, August 26

Hundreds of contractual sanitation workers suspended work and protested against the PGIMER administration for not fulfilling their demands.

The employees union said that nearly 3,000 sanitation workers and hospital attendants did not report for morning shift which starts at 6 am.

The PGIMER administration said in view of the strike, contingency arrangements were made for the smooth functioning of the patient care services.

“This is the show of our strength. The PGIMER administration should seriously take our demand for equal work and equal pay with the Health Ministry,” said Dev Raj, general secretary of the workers’ union.

“Despite strike, the services were managed by mobilising the internal and external resources. The arrangements were made by re-deploying the regular manpower. Help from the security department was also sought,” said the administration.

The hospital administration said the institute functioned normally. A total of 10,954 patients were registered in different OPDs, while 159 patients were admitted. — TNS