Agartala: Outsourcing Workers Demand Payment and Fair Wages
Agartala: Outsourcing workers at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GBP Hospital staged a protest due to delayed salary payments and inadequate wages. The protest, led by the Akhil Safai Mazdoor Sangh, culminated in a sit-in demonstration at the GBP Hospital premises.
Unpaid Wages and Low Salaries
The workers, who are employed under outsourcing contractors at both the AGMC and GBP Hospital, perform critical tasks such as sanitation, maintenance, and support services. Currently, 509 salaried employees are working at these institutions, with a meager monthly salary of Rs 9,000. According to the protesters, their salaries have not been paid for the past three months, which triggered the demonstration.
One of the workers shared their frustration with Doctor Post, saying, “We have been working at AGMC and GBP Hospital for a long time, but the contractors keep making excuses regarding salary payment. We do not receive our payments on a fixed date, and this is causing significant hardship.”
Impact on Workers’ Livelihoods
The delay in salary payments has severely affected the workers’ ability to meet their basic needs, especially as they are responsible for vital services in sanitation, security, and maintenance at the hospitals. The workers are demanding immediate resolution of their salary issues, but both the contractors and the hospital management have yet to respond to their concerns.
Widespread Issue of Delayed Payments in Healthcare Sector
This protest in Agartala comes in the wake of similar issues reported in other medical institutions. For instance, resident doctors at the Government Medical College (GMC) in Srinagar also issued a warning of protest due to ongoing delays in salary payments. The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) at GMC Srinagar highlighted that some doctors have not received their salaries for over five months, underscoring a troubling trend in payment delays across healthcare facilities.
Key Points:
- Protest by Outsourcing Workers: Delayed salary payments and low wages led to the sit-in demonstration.
- Workers’ Demands: Immediate payment of dues and regular salary disbursement.
- Widespread Payment Issues: Similar protests have occurred in other medical institutions like GMC Srinagar.
The workers’ protest at Agartala Medical College and GBP Hospital underscores the urgent need for better treatment and timely payment for those who play a vital role in maintaining essential healthcare services.
