Contract employees at PGIMER in Chandigarh have escalated their demands and announced their intention to go on strike on February 16.

FEBRUARY 8 (press ki taquat bureau):
On Wednesday, contractual workers from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER) assembled at a rally ground in Sector 25. This gathering took place after the Punjab and Haryana high court intervened and put a halt to the strike notice issued by different workers unions on Monday, which was scheduled for February 7.Until further instructions, Ashwani Kumar Munjal, the chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) for the PGIMER Contract Workers’ Union, has been prohibited from entering the hospital premises by the bench of Justice GS Sandhwalia and Justice Lapita Banerji.The bench comprising of Justice GS Sandhwalia and Justice Lapita Banerji has issued a directive stating that Ashwani Kumar Munjal, the chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) for the PGIMER Contract Workers’ Union, is not allowed to enter the hospital premises until further notice.In a recent ruling, the bench consisting of Justice GS Sandhwalia and Justice Lapita Banerji has ordered that Ashwani Kumar Munjal, the chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) for the PGIMER Contract Workers’ Union, must refrain from entering the hospital premises until further orders are given.Munjal, along with a group of contract workers, gathered in Sector 25 and reached a unanimous decision to challenge the orders issued by the High Court. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) revealed that Munjal intends to lead a procession towards the premises of PGIMER and willingly surrender himself to the Chandigarh Police on February 15. Additionally, the contract workers have collectively agreed to commence their protest after lunch on February 16.The contract workers have put forth a list of demands, which include revised wages, regularization of their employment, entitlement to leave benefits, access to medical facilities, provision of bonuses, and the establishment of a 24/7 canteen service. This group of contract workers encompasses various roles such as security guards, hospital attendants, lift operators, electricians, lab technicians, and others. Remarkably, the total number of these contract workers exceeds 4,000 individuals, constituting more than half of the regular staff members at PGIMER. Munjal expressed his disappointment with the director of PGIMER, accusing him of deceit and betrayal. Munjal claimed that the director had made a promise on January 20 to release revised wages in accordance with the high court judgment dated 13.03.2019, along with the notification dated 09.10.2018. However, Munjal alleged that the director failed to fulfill this promise, leading to feelings of frustration and mistrust among the affected individuals.