Srinagar, Apr 1: Employees working under the National Health Mission (NHM) in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday began a 48-hour sit-in protest to press for their demands, including the regularisation of their services, pay revision and social security benefits.
The 48-hour pan-Union territory protest is being held under the banner of the Jammu and Kashmir National Health Mission Employees Association.
Some NHM employees also staged a demonstration at the Press Enclave, where they chanted slogans advocating for their demands, including immediate pay revision, a retirement policy, and social security benefits.
They expressed frustration, stating that despite repeated assurances from the government, no substantial progress has occurred, prompting them to take to the streets.
“We announced this programme about eight days ago. Initially, we planned to demonstrate at Sher-e-Kashmir Park, but the authorities did not permit it,” Abdul Rouf, chief spokesman for the JKNHM Employees Association, said.
He emphasised that if the government is genuinely committed to improving the health sector in Jammu and Kashmir, it should address the issues faced by NHM employees, including doctors.
“We want a revision in our salaries on the pattern of Himachal Pradesh. Our core demand is to revise the salary of the NHM employees across J-K, implement an immediate job policy, and offer a golden handshake for those employees who have retired,” he said.
He further stated that the NHM employees are also demanding the regularisation of their services.
“However, if the government takes time, then our immediate demand is equal pay for work, immediate salary revision as the NHM employees are working on peanuts, meagre wages, even as many of us are working in far-flung areas,” he added.
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