Srinagar: National Health Mission (NHM) employees across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday began a 72-hour strike, demanding salary revision, job security, retirement benefits and social security measures.
The strike, called by the Jammu and Kashmir National Health Mission Employees Association (JKNHMEA) UT-Level Coordination Committee, is being observed at district headquarters, hospitals, health centres and other health institutions across the Union Territory.
Employees associated with various NHM programmes, including doctors, paramedical staff and personnel engaged under different health schemes, participated in the protest and raised slogans in support of their demands.
According to the association, the strike was launched after repeated representations and discussions with the authorities failed to yield a concrete resolution on their long-pending issues.
Chief Spokesperson of JKNHMEA, Abdul Rauoof, said NHM employees have been serving in hospitals, health centres and field-level health programmes for years and have played a significant role in strengthening healthcare delivery across Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the employees were seeking a secure job policy, revision of the existing salary structure, retirement benefits and a comprehensive social security framework.
“NHM employees have rendered years of dedicated service to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Their demands concerning job security, salary revision, retirement benefits and social security are genuine and deserve serious consideration,” he said.
The association said the existing remuneration does not adequately reflect the responsibilities shouldered by NHM employees and sought parity with counterparts in other states where better service benefits are available.
The demand for job security remains a major concern, with employees stating that prolonged contractual engagement has left many uncertain about their future despite years of service in the health sector.
The employees have also sought social security benefits, including Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), Employees’ State Insurance (ESI), insurance coverage and post-retirement support.
Protesting employees said their demands extend beyond salary enhancement and relate to the long-term welfare and financial security of thousands of workers and their families.
“NHM employees have been at the forefront of healthcare delivery, particularly during emergencies, but continue to face uncertainty over wages and job security,” said one of the protesters.
The UT-Level Joint Coordination Committee had announced the strike following a meeting held on September 5, maintaining that the government had failed to provide a satisfactory response within the timeframe given by employees.
The association described the agitation as a last resort after repeated efforts through dialogue and representations failed to resolve the issues. It urged the government to engage with employee representatives and initiate time-bound negotiations to address their demands.
The strike, which commenced on September 9, will continue for 72 hours across Jammu and Kashmir. Employees said they remain committed to public healthcare services but want the government to put in place a fair, secure and sustainable service framework.
