SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Nov 1: The agitating National Health Mission (NHM) contractual employees of Jharkhand have termed the letter of NHM’s Managing Director (MD) as vague and decided to continue their 21 days old strike.
Jharkhand Health Employees Welfare Association (JHEWA), the frontal organization of NHM contractual employees, held an emergency meeting over the letter of NHM MD, Ramesh Gholap, and unanimously decided to continue their strike saying that it is (letter) vague in nature and is creating confusion.
Sanjay Kumar, secretary of JHEWA, after the meeting said that whatever the MD has given in written assurance, is not matching with the demands of the protesting employees. No meeting has been held between JHEWA and the NHM management as has been claimed by the MD. JHEWA is ready to call off the strike if NHM MD concedes all the four demands.
The NHM contractual employees of the state have been on an indefinite strike since October 11 in support of their demands, including withdrawal of dismissal order against the State Programme Officer, Jwala Prasad.
The NHM MD, in his letter, has assured to take the proposal of employees in formation of HR policy and put up a draft proposal for EPF benefit at the meeting. He has also assured to discuss medical leave, annual leave and casual leave facilities of the contractual employees. While urging them to return to work, the MD has assured to get these demands implemented by constituting a State Task Force.
However, JHEWA has termed the letter as eyewash.
“Our main demands are immediate withdrawal of State Programme Officer Jwala Prasad’s dismissal order, moratorium on exploitation of employees by higher officers, withdrawal of allegations on ANM/ GNM by additional chief secretary health and others. Until all the demands are implemented, this strike will continue,” said Sanjay Kumar.
A delegation of the protesting NHM employees also met JMM supremo Shibu Soren, Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth, Giridih MP Chandra Prakash Choudhary and Gomia MLA Lambodar Mahto and sought their support in getting their demands implemented.
“Guruji (Shibu Soren) and all leaders have assured to extend their support to us,” added JHEWA’s secretary Sanjay Kumar.
