Contractual workers at the prestigious Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) in Chandigarh launched a significant protest on Wednesday, bringing long-simmering tensions with the administration to a head. The agitation, involving more than 2,500 staff members, was called by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of PGI Contract Worker Unions following a prolonged deadlock over critical financial and job security issues.
Massive Turnout and Key Demands
The demonstration, which began at 6 am, saw widespread participation from a diverse group of hospital employees. Sanitary attendants, hospital attendants, bearers, and cooks from both morning and evening shifts joined the protest. The action was also replicated at PGI's satellite centre in Sangrur, where over 98% of the security and attendant staff reportedly observed a fast in solidarity.
At the core of the dispute is a substantial financial claim. The workers are demanding the disbursement of Rs 90 crore in unpaid dues. Their specific demands include the immediate release of Rs 55 crore in arrears for basic pay and dearness allowance, which have been pending since January 13, 2024. They also want the administration to utilise Rs 15 crore from the Rs 76 crore already sanctioned by the Government of India in 2024.
Beyond financial arrears, the protestors have put forward several other crucial demands:
- Service Regularisation: Permanent job status for contract workers who have been serving continuously since 1995.
- Welfare Benefits: Access to medical facilities, maternity leave for female staff, and annual bonuses.
- Reinstatement: Bringing back four security guards who were allegedly victimised and removed from their posts in November 2024.
Threats, Divisions, and Service Impact
The protest revealed internal divisions and alleged intimidation within the workforce. The president of the PGI Safai Karmachari union and his team did not participate, having officially distanced themselves from the JAC three months prior. Furthermore, over 80 security guards on the morning shift were allegedly threatened by security officers and supervisors to stop them from joining the agitation. Some union members were reportedly warned by contractors that their services would be terminated if they protested.
Despite the large-scale demonstration, key hospital services, including the Outpatient Departments (OPDs), remained operational. This was partly due to the split within the worker unions. However, the protest marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the hospital administration and its outsourced workforce.
Ultimatum and Future Course of Action
The JAC has issued a stern final warning to the authorities. The committee has stated that if no breakthrough is achieved within the next 48 to 72 hours, it will convene a meeting on January 10 to decide the next steps. This could potentially include a larger, one-day mass hunger strike scheduled for the second or third week of January.
The standoff at PGI Chandigarh underscores the growing unrest among contractual workers in major public institutions across India. The workers' fight for financial justice and job security highlights the human resource challenges facing the healthcare sector, even as they strive to keep essential services running for patients.
