Bongaigaon NHM workers join state-wide strike demanding equal pay, job security

National Health Mission (NHM) workers across Assam launched a three-day “work boycott and sit-in strike” from today, demanding equal pay and permanent employment benefits.

In Bongaigaon district, hundreds of NHM workers staged a protest in front of the Joint Director of Health Services office, voicing strong resentment over what they termed as the government’s repeated failure to fulfill earlier promises.

The protesters alleged that the assurances made by the former Health Minister — who is now the Chief Minister — have turned out to be hollow. 

They declared that their agitation will continue until the government ensures “equal pay for equal work” and fulfils all their pending demands.

Warning of intensified protests in the coming days, the demonstrators said that if the government continues to ignore their issues, the agitation will be carried out in a sustained and statewide manner.

Meanwhile, employees of the National Health Mission (NHM) in Kokrajhar have launched a three-day sit-in demonstration in front of the office of the Joint Director of Health Services, Kokrajhar, starting Monday.

The protest, which will continue till November 5, has been organized under the directive of the All Assam National Health Mission Employees’ Association, Assam and the All Assam Health and Technical Welfare Association.

The NHM employees are staging the protest to press for the fulfillment of five major demands, including the introduction of a proper pay scale for all categories of NHM employees, equal pay for equal work, and equal rights for all staff under the mission.

The protesters have also sought gratuity, pension, and death-related benefits for NHM employees on par with regular state government employees, along with immediate appointment to vacant posts in the health department.

In addition, the association has demanded that in the event of an employee’s death while in service, one eligible family member should be appointed in their place. The deceased employee’s family should also receive full salary benefits until the employee’s notional retirement age of 60 years.

The association further urged the government to bring all NHM employees under the Social Security Act and ensure coverage through EPF (Employees’ Provident Fund) or CPF (Contributory Provident Fund).

The protesting employees have warned that if their demands are not met at the earliest, they will intensify their agitation into a stronger democratic movement across the state.