Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh): Cleanliness and routine work at the government Rani Durgavati Hospital (formerly Lady Elgin Hospital) came to a halt on Saturday after outsourced employees went on strike over unpaid salaries for the last three months.
More than 50 female and around a dozen male staff, including cleaners and other support workers, stopped work demanding immediate payment of their dues. They said they will resume only once the pending salaries are cleared.
The strike has caused major inconvenience to patients, with wards, corridors, latrines, and bathrooms left unclean. Minor hospital tasks usually handled by these employees have also been suspended.
The workers explained that without salaries for three months, their financial conditions have worsened, making it hard to meet basic household expenses. Many have had to borrow money, struggle to pay children’s school fees, and are facing severe hardships.
Despite repeated requests to hospital management and the contractor, no payment was made, forcing them to take this step.
Rani Durgavati Hospital superintendent Dr. Neeta Parashar confirmed the strike, stating that she has sent several letters to the CMHO office highlighting the issue.
