National Health Mission (NHM) employees across Jammu and Kashmir have extended their ongoing strike by another 72 hours, marking the third consecutive day of industrial action. The Jammu and Kashmir National Health Mission Employees Association (JKNHMEA) UT-Level Coordination Committee announced the extension, citing the government’s failure to provide a concrete and time-bound response to their long-standing demands.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the employees, who are crucial to the functioning of various NHM programs and health services, continued their peaceful protests at district, block, and field-level establishments throughout both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions. The striking workforce includes personnel engaged in programs such as the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), who are advocating for a comprehensive policy to address their remuneration, employment security, and social security concerns.
Protesting employees highlighted that they have been working under contractual arrangements for approximately 18 years. They perform responsibilities comparable to regular government employees but lack a clear and sustainable framework for their long-term service conditions. Their primary demands include a revision and enhancement of salaries, a comprehensive policy for job security, and provisions for retirement and social security benefits. They are also seeking the resolution of other pending service-related issues through a transparent and time-bound mechanism.
The JKNHMEA stated that the current agitation follows the expiry of an ultimatum issued to the government after a meeting on September 5. The association maintained that the decision to extend the strike was made after repeated representations and dialogues failed to yield a concrete roadmap for addressing their grievances. Employees noted that a previous 48-hour strike had also been undertaken over similar demands, but the absence of a comprehensive resolution compelled them to resume the agitation.
The union territory’s healthcare system is experiencing a strain due to the ongoing strike. Government figures indicate a significant number of vacancies within the Health and Medical Education Department, with nearly 16,000 posts vacant. This staffing shortage has led to an increased reliance on NHM employees and other contractual staff to maintain healthcare services across the region.
The protesting employees have urged the government to convene a high-level meeting with their representatives to initiate a time-bound process for resolving their demands. They emphasized a desire for dialogue rather than confrontation, expressing readiness to engage if a genuine and time-bound process is established. The extension of the strike, commencing September 12, is aimed at securing justice, dignity, job security, and a sustainable future for NHM employees.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
