Tauseef Ahmad
Srinagar, Apr 1: National Health Mission (NHM) employees on Wednesday staged protests across Kashmir, demanding job security, social security benefits and pay revision, with the agitation affecting health services in several districts of the Valley.
The protests were part of a 48-hour strike called by the UT Level Coordination Committee of the All J&K National Health Mission Employees Association (JKNHMEA), with employees assembling at various district headquarters and health institutions and raising slogans in support of their long-pending demands.
Protesting employees said NHM workers have been serving in the health sector for years under uncertain conditions, without a clear policy for regularisation or adequate social security cover.
“We are demanding job security, social security and pay revision. While other government employees are talking about the 8th Pay Commission, NHM employees are still struggling for basic job security and a proper policy,” said Dr Shahnaz Gul, district president of the NHM Employees Association Bandipora.
In Srinagar, an NHM employee said the issue was not limited to one district but concerned thousands of workers across Jammu and Kashmir. “NHM employees have been working on the frontlines for years, but there is still no job security or social protection for us. The government must frame a clear policy and address our demands at the earliest,” the employee said.
Another protester, Dr Imtiyaz, said NHM staff have played a vital role in strengthening healthcare services but continue to face neglect. “Despite years of service, we are still working without security and benefits. Our genuine demands must be addressed without further delay,” he said.
Meanwhile, similar protests were reported from Jammu division where NHM employees observed the strike at district and block headquarters in support of their demands. The protest there was led by Provincial President NHM Jammu Division Dr Vikas Sharma, who said employees have been working for nearly two decades and have played a key role in strengthening the public healthcare system despite difficult conditions.
The employees are demanding formulation of a comprehensive job policy, immediate pay revision, extension of EPF benefits to all cadres, implementation of “equal pay for equal work”, loyalty benefits and retirement benefits.
Employee organisations including the J&K Medical Employees Federation and J&K EJAC also extended support to the protesting NHM workers.
