Contract Medical Staff Intensify Agitation in Kadapa, Demand Equal Pay and Job Security
Contract Medical & Para-Medical Staff Intensify Statewide Protest, Demand Equal Pay, Job Security and Regularisation in Kadapa
KADAPA – AP: Doruvu Paul Jagan Babu – Assistant Chief Editor Contract Medical and Para-Medical employees of the Health, Medical and Family Welfare Department intensified their statewide agitation in Kadapa on Monday, taking their protest to the streets and raising slogans demanding “equal pay for equal work”, job security and regularisation of their services.
A large number of staff nurses, lab technicians, pharmacy officers, ECG technicians, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and other para-medical personnel participated in the rally organised under the banner of the YSR Kadapa Medical & Health Contract Employees Joint Action Committee (JAC).
Rally through streets to highlight long-pending demands
The protesting employees marched through the streets raising slogans in support of their demands and urging the government to address their long-pending grievances.
The major demand raised during the rally was that employees performing duties on par with their regular counterparts should be provided equal pay for equal work and that their services should ultimately be regularised, providing them with permanent employment and job security.
The protesters said that they have been rendering essential services to patients for years despite continuing under contractual arrangements, with uncertainty over their employment and service conditions.
Protest at GGH, RIMS
The agitation had earlier intensified at the Government General Hospital (GGH), RIMS, Kadapa, where contract Medical and Para-Medical staff gathered in large numbers.
Staff nurses, laboratory technicians, pharmacy personnel, ECG technicians, EMTs and other para-medical employees raised slogans and displayed their solidarity in front of the hospital’s main block.
The employees said their demands relate primarily to job security, equal treatment, service conditions and regularisation, particularly for those working under the DME, DPH and DSH wings.
A demand for recognition of their contribution
Contract Medical and Para-Medical personnel constitute an important part of the healthcare delivery system, particularly in government hospitals and health institutions where they perform duties directly connected with patient care.
The employees argue that when contractual personnel perform substantially similar responsibilities alongside regular employees, the disparity in remuneration and employment security has become a major source of dissatisfaction.
Their slogan of “equal pay for equal work” therefore forms the centrepiece of the present agitation.
JAC seeks government intervention
The JAC, affiliated with APCSNSC, CLTWA, GCEMTWA and CAORTA, has urged the government to intervene and resolve the issues through discussions with the employees’ representatives.
The protesters are seeking concrete action rather than assurances, particularly on equal pay, job security, service conditions and regularisation of eligible contractual employees.
With the agitation continuing in a phased manner, the employees hope that the government will initiate dialogue with their representatives and arrive at a solution that recognises both their long-standing service and their demand for greater employment security.
The protesters maintained that their fight is not merely for higher remuneration, but for dignity, equality and a secure future for those who have been serving the public healthcare system under contractual conditions for years.
