Contract Workers at PGIMER in Chandigarh Threaten Indefinite Hunger Strike Ahead of Minister's Visit
Chandigarh: Ahead of union health minister visit, PGI contract workers warn of indefinite hunger strike
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Contract workers at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh plan to initiate an indefinite hunger strike on April 25 unless their demands for unpaid wages are addressed. The warning comes ahead of Union Health Minister JP Nadda's visit on April 30 to inaugurate new facilities at the institute.
- 01Contract workers at PGIMER demand payment of ₹15-20 crore in pending arrears.
- 02Union Health Minister JP Nadda is scheduled to visit PGIMER on April 30.
- 03Workers threaten to strike if their demands are not met, impacting hospital operations.
- 04The union claims a total of ₹65 crore is owed to various contractual workers.
- 05Previous attempts to prevent strikes through the Haryana Essential Services Maintenance Act were made.
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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.
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The hunger strike could severely disrupt hospital operations, affecting patient care and essential services provided by contract workers.
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