Sacked,176 health workers take to streets

Sarabjit Kaur,representing the 176 multi-purpose health workers,said the government showed a very indifferent attitude towards the workers who were hired in November last year. “The government needs to rethink its decision and adjust them in the department,” she said.

“Why did the government hire us if it did not want our services? But it has dealt a hard blow to us now. We were not told at the time of hiring that the contract would end in just seven to eight months. This is unfair and unjustified,” said a worker.

On the other hand,the health department said the workers were hired in excess of the required staff strength of 46 and therefore their contracts were terminated now.

Speaking on the issue,Civil Surgeon Dr Maninderjit Singh said the workers were hired in excess under the National Rural Health Mission in the state and the department was only correcting its move now. “There were 46 sanctioned posts against which the health department had hired 222 health workers,” he said.

While assuring the workers he said that he would speak to the higher authorities about the issue. “We are going to put forth a proposal to the health minister asking him to adjust the laid-off workers in the department,” he assured the crowd of workers.

However,Sarabjit Kaur said the workers would stage a dharna at the Prayas Bhavan in Chandigarh at the state office of the National Rural Health Mission tomorrow to press for their demand for the reinstatement of the workers.