Srinagar, December 27 (KNO) : Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today condemned the callous
attitude of state government towards protesting NHM employees, and reiterated they are
backbone of states health care system and are working with utmost dedication. The continued
strike has affected health services to a large extent with patients facing a lot of inconvenience in
rural as well as urban hospitals along with extra work being taxed from regular staff. The Govt.
should immediately meet the aggrieved NHM employees and assure them of executing their
demands in black and white.
Expressing anger and resentment over unwanted police action on democratically protesting
NHM employees at Jammu, president Doctors Association Kashmir, Dr Suhail Naik fully
supported the genuine demands of protesting NHM employees. These employees are working on
meager salaries for last more than a decade and they don't have any job security. The unflinching
role of NHM employees for decreasing Infant mortality rate to historic 24 can't be undermined
said Dr Naik.
There is dire need to chalk out a mechanism for phased and time bound regularization of NHM
employees in long term, but as an immediate measure govt. should increase their salaries, entitle
them with leave benefits and job security to get these protesting employees back to work. The
government must break the silence and should come forward with a positive attitude and written
assurance so that NHM employees will be willing to return to their respective duties. The
Hon’ble Supreme Court ruling that temporary employees are also entitled to regular pay scale
along with dearness allowances vindicates stand of protesting employees that their demands are
genuine Dr Naik added. Pertinently in a Supreme court verdict in civil appeal NO 2013 of 2013
dated 26 -10- 2017, supreme court has held that principle of equal pay for equal work has to be
made applicable to all those engaged as daily wagers, contractual, or casual who perform same
duties as regular employees.
Furthermore Dr Naik demanded that NHM employees must be entitled to full maternity leave
benefits to female employers in letter & spirit.(KNO)