Srinagar, Sep 09 (KNO): National Health Mission (NHM) employees across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday began a 72-hour Union Territory-wide strike, pressing the government to address their long-pending demands related to salary revision, job security, retirement benefits and social security.
The strike, organised by the Jammu and Kashmir National Health Mission Employees Association (JKNHMEA) UT-Level Coordination Committee, is being observed at district headquarters, hospitals, health centres and other field-level establishments across both Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
According to details obtained by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the protesting workforce includes employees associated with various NHM programmes and health services, including doctors, paramedical staff and personnel engaged under programmes such as the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP).
At several places, NHM employees assembled at their respective institutions and district headquarters and raised slogans in support of their demands. The protesters said the agitation had been launched after repeated representations and discussions with the authorities failed to result in a concrete resolution.
Abdul Rauoof, Chief Spokesperson of JKNHMEA, said the 72-hour strike reflects the growing concern among NHM employees over the continued delay in addressing their service-related issues.
He said NHM employees have been working for years across hospitals, health centres and field-level health programmes and have played an important role in delivering healthcare services to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“NHM employees have rendered years of dedicated service to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Their demands concerning job security, salary revision, retirement benefits and social security are genuine and deserve serious consideration,” Rauoof said.
The Association has placed four major demands before the government, including a secure job policy for NHM employees, revision of their salary structure, provision of social security benefits and retirement benefits for those who have spent years working under the mission.
The employees have argued that their existing remuneration does not adequately correspond with their responsibilities and the nature of duties performed by them. They have also sought parity with NHM employees in other States where, according to the Association, comparatively better remuneration and service-related benefits are available.
The demand for job security is another major component of the agitation. Employees said prolonged contractual engagement has left a large section of the NHM workforce uncertain about their professional future despite having served the healthcare system for years.
Besides regularisation or a suitable secure job policy, the employees have demanded a comprehensive social security framework covering benefits such as Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), Employees' State Insurance (ESI), insurance coverage and retirement or post-retirement support.
The protesters maintained that their demands are not restricted to an increase in salary but concern the overall welfare and long-term financial security of thousands of employees and their families.
“NHM employees have been at the forefront of healthcare delivery, particularly during emergencies, but continue to face uncertainty over wages and job security,” said Uzair Ahmad, a protesting employee.
The employees said they continue to perform duties at hospitals, health centres and in various field programmes across the Union Territory, often in challenging circumstances, and therefore deserve a fair and sustainable service framework.
The UT-Level Joint Coordination Committee had announced the 72-hour strike following its meeting on September 5, after maintaining that the government had failed to provide a concrete and satisfactory response within the period given by the employees.
The Association has described the current strike as a last resort after repeated efforts through representations and dialogue did not yield the desired outcome.
The employees have urged the government to engage with their representatives and initiate meaningful and time-bound negotiations to resolve the issues.
The Association also appealed to its members to remain united, peaceful and disciplined throughout the 72-hour programme.
The strike, which commenced on September 9, is scheduled to continue for 72 hours, with NHM employees participating in the agitation at district headquarters and other designated locations across Jammu and Kashmir.
The employees have maintained that they remain committed to their duties and the public healthcare system, but want the government to acknowledge their contribution by putting in place a fair, secure and sustainable service structure—(KNO)