There is a walkout of more than 4,000 contract workers at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) in Chandigarh, which has proven to be disruptive for everyone. The workers, which include security guards, attendants, electrical personnel, and safai karamcharis, are calling for greater pay, job security, health benefits, and working conditions. The striking employees at the esteemed medical institute have caused major delays to vital services. The walkout was orchestrated by a joint action committee that represents many employee unions.
The strike has mostly affected patients, especially in outpatient departments (OPDs), where lengthy lines and registration delays are standard operating. Sanitation problems brought on by the lack of cleaning personnel might endanger the health of both employees and patients. Many people are finding it difficult to get basic healthcare services as a result of the strike, and some are upset about the delayed treatment.
The striking employees claim that PGI management has broken past agreements and ignored their repeated demands. It is believed that the institute has failed to meet its obligations to guarantee medical facilities for contract workers, equitable pay, and regularise employment. Better working conditions are another demand made by the staff, which they say the management has disregarded.
The PGI management has declared the strike to be immoral and unjustifiable, admitting that it has caused some inconvenience but arguing that the demands of the workers are not realistic. The institution has sent out regular personnel and volunteers to lessen the impact, but there has been a major overall interruption to patient care.
Tensions between the employees and management were still high as the walkout continued on the second day. A ray of hope for a settlement did exist, though, when the joint action committee chose to call off the strike for a day to facilitate talks. The conclusion of these negotiations is still unknown, thus the strike’s future and the institute’s ability to operate are both in jeopardy.
