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Delhi AIIMS nurses on indefinite strike against contract terms

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Published : Dec 14, 2020, 9:57 PM IST

The nurses' union of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) announced an indefinite strike citing a list of demands that also include one related to the 6th Central Pay Commission. The strike was earlier scheduled to be observed from Wednesday.

Delhi AIIMS nurses on indefinite strike against contract terms
Delhi AIIMS nurses on indefinite strike against contract terms

New Delhi: Around 5,000 nurses of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) advanced their indefinite strike with immediate effect on Monday after the premier medical institute allegedly converted the terms of employment from permanent to contract basis.

The strike was earlier scheduled to be observed from Wednesday.

Delhi AIIMS nurses on indefinite strike against contract terms

The nurses union of AIIMS claimed that the hospital administration has introduced contract terms to their employment which forced them to pre-empt their strike. It said that the decision has come as shock to the whole fraternity.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Harish Kumar Kajla, president of AIIMS nurses union, said the government has betrayed on their demands while they were busy giving their services to coronavirus patients during the lockdown.

"We had clearly stated in our demands that we don't want to be handed over to the private agencies which would keep us on contractual term of employment. Despite, the administration acted against it. This is why we have started our strike ahead of our schedule," he added.

A copy of the letter written to AIIMS director by Nurse Union
A copy of the letter written to AIIMS director by Nurse Union

The nurses of the central hospital had communicated to the AIIMS administration that they will go on the indefinite strike from Wednesday as their long-pending list of 23 demands which included no introduction of contract terms in the employment and restructuring of their salary as per the Sixth Pay Commission.

Also Read: AIIMS, LNJP doctors extends support to IMA strike

Besides, the union also told that they were assured by the union health minister in a meeting in October 2019 that their salary would be restructured as per the Sixth Pay Commission, which is yet to be done by the administration.

AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria has issued a video in response to the sudden strike and condemned the action taken by the nurses. He also claimed that the interpretation of the nurses for their salary hike is incorrect.

AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria released a video

"It seems inappropriate that when the country is going through hardships, the nurses union are asking for a pay hike. It is very, very inappropriate that when we all are reeling under the pandemic, people are losing their loved ones and enduring loss of jobs, the nurses have called for the strike and are asking for a pay hike," Dr Guleria said.

"The interpretation of initial pay according to the sixth pay commission by the nurses union is incorrect and beyond the provision of the gazette notification. Multiple meetings have been held with the nurses union not just from the hospital administration, but the economic advisor to the ministry of health and family welfare to make them understand this point," he said.

Also Read: Hopeful India will get Covid-19 vaccine nod by Dec end or early Jan: AIIMS Director

"However, the government had said that it will sympathetically look at this as a fresh demand and would ask the department to consider it," Dr Guleria added.

He also said that apart from the hike in the salaries, almost all the demands of the nurses union have been met.

But Dr Guleria did not mention about the contract term of services which has caused the strike by the nurses.

"I appeal to all of you to come back and work and really help us get through the pandemic. Whatever issues you have, we will try and resolve amicably and try to be sympathetic to your demands but at this time of hardship please do not go on strike," he said.

(With inputs from IANS)

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