Hundreds of contractual workers at Delhi's premier Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital have taken to the streets in a massive protest, demanding long-overdue rights and job security. The healthcare workers, who form the backbone of the hospital's daily operations, are raising their voices against what they call "systemic exploitation."
The core demands of the protesting workers include:
- Immediate regularization of all contractual positions
- Restoration of daily allowance benefits
- Merger of their services with permanent staff benefits
- Equal pay for equal work compared to regular employees
These healthcare professionals, including sanitation staff, nursing assistants, and technical support personnel, have been working on temporary contracts for years despite performing essential hospital functions. Many workers report being stuck in contractual limbo for over a decade, with no job security or benefits enjoyed by their permanent counterparts.
Growing Tensions in Healthcare Sector
The protest comes amid increasing tensions in Delhi's healthcare sector, where contractual employment has become the norm rather than the exception. Workers argue that while they perform the same duties as permanent staff, they receive significantly lower compensation and zero job protection.
"We are the invisible hands that keep this hospital running," said one protesting worker who wished to remain anonymous. "Yet when it comes to basic rights and security, we're treated as disposable assets."
Impact on Hospital Operations
While the protest has drawn attention to workers' grievances, hospital administration maintains that patient care remains unaffected. However, sources indicate that the growing discontent among contractual staff could potentially disrupt healthcare services if their demands aren't addressed promptly.
The workers have vowed to continue their protest until the hospital management and health department officials provide concrete assurances about meeting their demands. The situation highlights the broader issue of contractual labor in India's public healthcare system, where thousands of essential workers operate without job security or adequate benefits.
