Hospital workers call off hunger strike after BMC assures timely payments
Mumbai : The workers of Sewri TB hospital breathed a sigh of relief on Thursday afternoon after the civic body gave a green signal for approval of paid leaves for workers suffering from tuberculosis. Following this, the hunger strike by the hospital workers was called off at 4.30pm on Thursday. A circular has been sent to the civic administration regarding the approval of paid leaves.
Also, the nine workers who didn’t receive their payments will be given their salaries and don’t have to worry about their payments in future, assured civic officials.
Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer of BMC said: “From now on, the workers suffering from Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR TB) and totally drug-resistant tuberculosis (TDR-TB) will be provided leaves as instructed by their treating doctor and these leaves will be paid. We also assure that henceforth, the workers will be provided salaries on time.”
Pradeep Narkar, secretary of Municipal Mazdoor Union said: “We are relieved now that our demands have been fulfilled. We have been assured that the salaries will be given on time and paid leaves will be provided. This was a crucial issue as workers despite their ailing condition were coming to hospital for performing their duties as they were in need of money. There is a huge burden on these workers as they have to feed their family as well as provide finance for their treatment.”
