Ahead of Union Health Minister JP Nadda's visit to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh, contract workers have issued a warning of an indefinite hunger strike starting April 25 if their demands for unpaid wages are not met. The workers are owed between ₹15-20 crore for pending arrears, with an additional ₹3.25 crore owed to those at satellite centers in Una and Sangrur. The union has highlighted a total outstanding amount of ₹65 crore due to contractual workers as per the government's notification regarding 'equal pay for equal work.' The situation poses significant risks to hospital operations, as these workers perform essential roles, including hospital attendants, cooks, and security personnel. Previous measures to curb strikes included the invocation of the Haryana Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), which was in effect from August 2025 to February 2026.