Despite stern warnings from the Chhattisgarh government, thousands of employees under the National Health Mission (NHM) announced on Saturday that they would continue their indefinite strike. Since August 18, around 16,000 health staff across the state have stayed off duty, disrupting essential healthcare services.
Government Implements “No Work, No Pay” Policy
On Friday, the state government issued a directive enforcing the principle of “no work, no pay” for all striking NHM employees. The Department of Health and Family Welfare instructed Chief Medical and Health Officers (CMHOs) not to release the salaries of absent staff this month.
Moreover, CMHOs across districts were directed to submit details of employees absent since August 18 and to serve show-cause notices. The government warned that disciplinary action, including termination, would follow if workers failed to resume duties. Officials described the strike as “against public interest and completely unjustified.”
Healthcare Services Under Strain
As reported by TOI, the absence of NHM staff has placed an extra burden on regular employees. Routine services, particularly child vaccination drives, have slowed down. “Vaccination work has been affected. We cannot increase the number of counters because there are no staff,” a government hospital official explained.
However, Bilaspur CMHO Dr. Shubha Garewal clarified that vaccinations are still being carried out. “Every Tuesday and Friday are vaccination days for children. If there is a rush, we advise parents to return the next day for smooth management. Vaccination has not stopped,” she stressed.
Employees Raise Long-Standing Demands
According to NHM Karmachari Sangh General Secretary Kaushlesh Tiwari, the union has already submitted 160 memorandums to the government, highlighting their ten-point charter of demands. Massive demonstrations were staged in Raipur and Bilaspur on Friday, followed by district-level protests from Saturday.
State NHM Karmachari Sangh President Dr. Amit Miri said the key demands include regularisation of services, grade pay determination, transparent performance evaluations, and special leave for women employees.
Government Responds to Workers’ Demands
Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal reiterated on Saturday that the “no work, no pay” rule would apply to all contractual employees. He explained that the government has already accepted some demands—such as a 22% salary hike, a transfer policy, and 30 days of medical leave—but the central government must approve the question of regularisation.
“The regularisation of NHM employees depends on the Centre’s decision. Until then, we cannot move forward on that demand,” the minister clarified.
NHM Workers’ 10-Point Demands
- Job security through merger into permanent cadre
- Establishment of a Public Health Cadre
- Determination of grade pay
- Transparent and fair performance evaluation system
- Implementation of the pending 27% salary hike
- Reservation of seats in regular recruitment processes
- Compassionate appointments for dependents
- Provision for medical and other forms of leave
- Clear and fair transfer policy
- Minimum ₹10 lakh medical insurance coverage