Imphal, March 10, 2010: Expressing strong resentment over cease work strike initiated by the Non-Gazetted Employees Welfare Association of JN Hospital with effect from March 10 demanding sanction of 6th Pay Commission's recommendation, a release issued by the Chief Secretary, DS Poonia today warned the employees to resume their work with immediate effect.

Asserting that the hospital stands already trans ferred to Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences run by a society, the release said �the action of the association has put the lives of many patients in jeopardy� adding �the cease work strike is baseless�.

While directing the employees involved in the cease work strike to rejoin their respective duties not later than 10 am of March 11, the release warned of initiating administrative action under Section 3 (1) of the Manipur Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1984 and in accordance with Section 3 (4) as already notified against those employees who fail to follow the directive.

Meanwhile, the State Government has invoked related provisions of the Manipur Essential Services Maintenance Act 1984 to prohibit the indefinite ceasework strike being launched by employees of State-run Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, Porompat with immediate effect.

An order issued to this effect by the Deputy Secretary (Home) said the prohibitory order would remain in force for six months during which no person employed in any essential service shall go or remain on strike.

Moreover the order declared as 'illegal' any strike pronounced or had already commenced.

Noting that apart from the Hospital employees having launched ceasework strike since March 9, there is also likelihood of strike in other district hospitals, CHCs, PHCs, PHSCs of the State, the Government order said the indefinite strike has dislocated the 'essential services' as outlined under Section 2(a)(iii) of the MESM Act 1984. As the strike poses serious threat to public health care system besides endangering life of the public, the Government is satisfied that in public interest it is necessary to prohibit the indefinite ceasework strike launched by the JN Hospital employees, maintained the order.

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