GUWAHATI: Healthcare workers under the All Assam Health & Technical Welfare Association (AAHTWA), NHM, staged a sit-in demonstration and pen-down protest at Chachal, Guwahati, on Friday, demanding equal pay for equal work and the implementation of the 7th Pay Scale.
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Hundreds of NHM workers from across Assam participated in the protest, highlighting their long-standing grievances over job security, fair wages, and government neglect.
AAHTWA and NHM members claim they have been urging the Assam government to address their demands for the past 19 years. Despite repeated appeals to higher authorities, including the NHM Assam department and the Department of Health & Family Welfare, their issues remain unresolved.
Speaking to the media, Rajiv, a medical officer in Ayurvedic medicine, shared the workers' frustrations:
"Today, there are 26,000 NHM workers in Assam, all united for a common cause. Since 2006, NHM employees have handled significant responsibilities, yet we have not received the facilities or job security we deserve. We have been working for over 20 years, yet our demands remain unmet."
He further pointed out that their previous protest on February 20 at Chachal did not receive any positive response from the government.
"If they continue to ignore us, the protests will only escalate," he warned.
What the Workers Are Demanding
-Equal pay for equal work
-Implementation of the 7th Pay Scale
-Job security and regularization of NHM employees
-Better working conditions and facilities
The NHM workers argue that despite playing a crucial role in Assam’s healthcare system, they are not given the benefits and security they deserve.
The workers remain firm in their demands, warning that if their concerns are not addressed soon, they will intensify their protests. The government is yet to respond, and further developments are awaited.
