Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 11
National Health Mission workers in Jammu and Kashmir will extend their strike for another 72 hours from September 12, their association said, prolonging a standoff over regularisation, pay and job security.
The Jammu and Kashmir National Health Mission Employees Association said on Thursday that the latest strike would begin on Saturday and continue for three days.
The action is expected to affect healthcare services and programmes that rely heavily on NHM staff, including tuberculosis control, immunisation and maternal and child health services.
Association spokesperson Abdul Rauoof said employees had repeatedly been assured that their demands would be addressed but had seen little progress.
“We are not left with any option but to strike,” an association representative said.
The employees are seeking a time-bound process for regularisation and long-term job security, along with equal pay for equal work and extension of 7th Pay Commission benefits to eligible workers.
They have also demanded financial assistance of Rs 30 lakh to the family of an NHM employee who dies while in service.
NHM workers had staged a strike in April but called it off after a day following assurances from the government that their demands would be addressed within two months.
The association said nearly five months had since passed without a resolution.
