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 protesting employees assembled at various district headquarters and health institutions, raising slogans in support of their long-pending demands. They 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.
Pertinently, NHM employees had earlier announced a 48-hour strike from April 1 to press for their demands. The ongoing protest affected healthcare services in several parts of Kashmir, disrupting routine patient care at multiple health institutions.
