Contract staff stage protest demanding service extension
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 01 2021:
Demanding service extension and payment of 4 months pending remuneration, Covid contract and MTS staff staged a sit in protest at RD Wing complex at Lamphelpat.
Later, the protesters took out a rally and attempted to storm the office of the Health Directorate at Lamphel.
The protest demonstration, however, was stopped at the gate of RD Wing by the State police following a scuffle with the protesters.
Speaking to media persons, one of the protesters Sougrakpam Khogen stated that altogether 150 staff nurses and 100 MTS were recruited for three months to help fight the Covid pandemic in July 2020 on contractual basis.
The contract staff were deployed at three Covid Care Centres-RD Wing, Lamphel, UNACCO, Meitram and Lamboikhongnangkhong on August 3, last year, he added.
At the time of Covid peak when majority of the population stayed indoors, the contract employees performed duties despite facing discrimination from the localities and even friends and family members to save lives, he maintained and added that opting to terminate the contract of those who were once glorified as frontline Covid warriors after the situation improves is disheartening and show the unappreciative nature of the Government.
He asked if terminating them (contract employees) is the price for all their dedication and hard work during the terrifying time.
Though these staff were paid for just two months, they didn't raise any complaints till date to the Government considering the bad economy, the protester continued.
He then urged the Government to extend their service by converting the condition of the contract on pure contractual engagement instead of on daily wage basis and utilise them at different health care centres in hill districts.