The long-standing protest by contract employees at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) in Chandigarh has taken a serious turn. After 46 days of a peaceful sit-in, the workers' joint action committee (JAC) has announced a major escalation: a 24-hour mass hunger strike and protest starting at 6 am on Tuesday.
Deadlock Over Unpaid Wages and Revised DA
The decision follows a complete breakdown in talks between the PGI administration and its approximately 4,500 contract workers. These employees, who handle essential services like security, sanitation, and kitchen operations, have a central grievance: the non-payment of their dues. The workers claim that nearly Rs 90 crore in wage arrears and revised dearness allowance (DA) has been pending since January 2024.
JAC chairman Ashwani Kumar Munjal has strongly criticised the institute's management. He accused them of ignoring their legal obligations while using legal instruments to suppress the protest. "The PGI management is misusing the Haryana Essential Services (Maintenance) Act (ESMA) and High Court orders to silence us," Munjal stated.
Broken Promises and Core Demands
The union's frustration is compounded by what they call a broken promise. They point to a written assurance given on August 12, 2025, where the management committed to releasing the arrears for revised wages. However, the JAC says there has been no action or communication for over six weeks since that assurance, leading to the current impasse.
The core demands presented by the contract workers are clear and specific:
- Immediate release of Rs 55 crore in basic pay and DA arrears.
- Payment of Rs 15 crore from funds already sanctioned by the Government of India for this purpose.
- Provision of maternity leave and proper medical facilities for female contract staff.
- Reinstatement of 4 security guards who were allegedly victimised in November 2024.
What Comes Next?
The announcement of a mass hunger strike marks a significant intensification of the 46-day-old agitation. It underscores the deep frustration among the workforce, who perform critical day-to-day functions at one of north India's premier medical institutes. The move puts increased pressure on the PGI administration to break the deadlock and address the financial and welfare concerns of its contract employees. The coming days will test whether this drastic step leads to a resolution or further prolongs the standoff at the Chandigarh institution.
