Jammu, March 5,: Employees of the Health and Medical Education Department staged a protest in Jammu on Wednesday, announcing plans to go on strike against a recent order that reportedly cuts salary equivalent to two and a half days.
The protesting employees expressed anger over what they described as a sudden decision by the Finance Department, saying the order was implemented without consultation or discussion with staff representatives.
Holding placards and raising slogans, the employees said the decision had deprived them of salary benefits they had been receiving earlier, despite their duties extending to Sundays and official holidays.
“We, like other government employees, were receiving extra salary for two and a half days because we continue to work even on Sundays and other official holidays,” one of the protesting employees said.
He alleged that the Finance Department issued the order without debate, verification or discussion, affecting employees who regularly perform duties beyond normal working days.
According to the protesters, health sector employees often remain on duty during holidays to ensure that medical services in hospitals and health institutions continue uninterrupted.
“We serve patients even on holidays and emergencies. Cutting our salary despite that is unjustified,” another employee said.
The protesting staff warned that if the order is not reviewed, they would be forced to go on strike in the coming days.
They urged the government to reconsider the decision and restore the salary component, arguing that the deduction has negatively impacted the morale of employees working in the health sector. [KNT]
