Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)

Udupi, Sep 29: “Up to 70% workers in the health department are employed on contract basis. Nearly 30,000 nurses in Karnataka and 512 nurses in Udupi are employed on contract. The government has not responded to our campaign even after three days. The department threatens disciplinary action against protesters,” said Manjunath, president, Karnataka state health (including NHM family welfare and Ayush service) and Contractual and Outsource Employees Association, criticizing the government.

Speaking at a press conference held at Udupi press club on Tuesday September 29, he said that the protests of contract workers of the medical department have reached the third day.

“The government has not paid us well even after working risking our lives during the coronavirus pandemic. We do not need claps from people but facilities from the government. We have requested various governments to fulfill our demands since the last fifteen years. Why is the government showing disdain against ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and medical staff on contract?

“The responsibility of contract and sub contract workers during Covid tests, Covid call centres, Covid reports, vaccines, health of mother and children, control of TB, blindness, examinations of indoor and outdoor patients, implementation of Malaria and national health programmes is valuable.

“Permanent staff nurses are being paid Rs 38,000 without allowances. But contract nurses are paid only Rs 10,000. The government is discriminating between contract and outsourced workers,” he said in anguish.

Guruaj Gangani, chief secretary; Dr Reshma Pai, ladies wing president; Roopak Nagaraj, vice president, and Girish, treasurer, were present.