The Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS) employees at Indira Gandhi Medical College Hospital (IGMCH) in Shimla, have announced a strike from Tuesday, 27 August, until 31 August 31, between 8 AM and 2 PM. This planned four-hour daily strike is likely to disrupt health services at one of the state’s key medical facilities.
The RKS workers’ union called the strike to voice their concerns against the hospital management’s failure to meet their long-standing demand for a pay band increase. The 55 RKS employees, all on contract, have not had pay adjustments for years despite essential roles such as ward boys and registration staff. Although 36 IGMC employees received regular pay scales in 2016 and another adjustment in 2019, the union contends that many contractual workers remain overlooked.
This work stoppage threatens to severely impact the smooth functioning of IGMCH, a crucial healthcare provider in the region. The absence of key staff members could significantly hinder the hospital’s operations, affecting patient care and access to essential services.
This strike, initially scheduled as a temporary measure, could be just the beginning. The union has warned that if their demands are not met by 31 August, they will escalate to a regular strike starting on 2 September.
Even though RKS employees recently met with Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, who promised swift action on their demands, the workers remain unsatisfied with verbal assurances and are seeking written confirmation before they consider calling off the strike.
