Freshly appointed members of the National Health Mission (NHM) Contract and Outsourcing Employees Union revealed recently that they were contacted by the office of the Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare. The employees are assured of two months of outstanding salaries, out of a total of four months owed, which would be settled by 21 March 2024. The balance will be resolved in the following month.
Nearly 17,000 contract workers associated with the NHM in Telangana have been facing a salary shortfall since December. They have been persistently urging the government to clear their overdue payments. In case their salaries are not disbursed by 21 March 2024, they plan to call a state-wide strike commencing on 22 March 2024.
In light of this, the Commissioner, who also holds the position of mission director for Telangana NHM, convened a meeting with union representatives on 18 March 2024. During this session, he reiterated the commitment to resolve the salary issue by 20 March 2024.
The union confirmed that it will monitor government’s compliance with the payment of two months’ salary. Upon receipt, it will postpone the strike and extend the deadline to next month for the remaining dues. However, failure to adhere to this commitment will force the union to proceed with its strike planned on 22 March 2024.
