Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)

Udupi, Oct 26: Contract workers from the department of health in the district held peaceful protests in front of the office of DC, Manipal on Thursday, October 25 to show their support to countrywide protests by health department workers employed on contract basis.

Contract worker’s association president Manjunath addressing the protesters said that staff nurses employed on contract basis are paid Rs 10,000 per month. “The nurses are sometimes made to work like slaves in the houses of senior officials. The order is not amended due to lack of will power. Their contracts get renewed once every three months. Their appointment is made on the basis of work performed by the nurses. Their contracts are terminated if officials are dissatisfied with their work. The victims of such systems may resort to suicide. The association is preparing to gherao Suvarna Saudha after this,” he said.

Vice president of the association, Sowmya said that the deputy commissioner and district health officer had created a new post for nurses for working round the clock without break. “The post of second ANM was nowhere in the state. As the designation changes frequently, their service period also decreases. There is no value for their experience even if they work sincerely and obediently. Experienced workers on contract have to work on new contracts without any government facilities. Eight months pregnant nurse was denied renewal of contract. Nurses are not allowed six months leave after delivery that they are entitled to. There was injustice in payment of loyalty bonus,” she said opposing the policy of the centre regarding employment of contract workers.

Girish Kaddipudi, treasurer, Preetam and Mahabalesh, chief secretaries, Vasanti, vice president and others were present.