Health Mission employees in IIOJK extend strike by 72 hours; seek job security, regularisation
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the National Health Mission Employees Association (NHMEA) has extended its ongoing strike by another 72 hours from today, as employees continue to press for pay parity, job security, regularisation and social security benefits.
The association said the decision was taken as its long-pending demands remained unresolved and there was no concrete, time-bound mechanism from the authorities to address the issues.
The strike, which began across Jammu and Kashmir on September 9 and has been extended several times, has seen employees hold protests at district, block and institutional levels.
The employees are seeking a comprehensive employment policy, revision of remuneration on a par with NHM workers in other states, job security and regularisation.
“We have been working in the health sector for years and have continued our duties during difficult situations. Despite this, there is still no clear policy regarding our future. We want the government to frame a proper mechanism that recognises our service and provides us with employment security,” an NHM employee said.
Another employee said the concerns went beyond salaries and included disparities in service benefits and long-term security.
A woman employee said uncertainty over their employment had become a major concern for those who had spent several years working under the mission.
“Many of us have devoted a major part of our working lives to NHM services. We have families and financial responsibilities, but there is still no certainty about our future,” she said.
