Protest by nursing employees at Rajindra Hospital continues

The nursing staff of Rajindra Hospital continued their protest on the second consecutive day today. One of the agitating employees climbed to the hospital roof and threatened to jump if the staff’s demands were not met.

The protest has taken a political turn with Patiala Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Amit Rathi extending his support to the protesters and accusing the government of their exploitation. On Thursday, senior doctors tried to pacify the protesters.

The protesting nursing staff said they were being paid a meagre salary of Rs 29,000 per month despite the demanding nature of their job. They are demanding Rs 4,600 pay grade, which would take their salary to Rs 44,900 per month. The staff said the protest would continue till their demands were met. Jujhar Singh Mann, patron of the United Nurses Association of Punjab and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nursing Union, said,

“There are 1,800 nursing staff employees across three medical colleges and some working at district hospital were appointed under the Central Pay Commission after July 2020. Around 700 nursing staff are working at the Patiala Government Medical College. We are regular employees and should be awarded Seventh pay panel benefits as is being given to the staff in Haryana.”