Intensifying their stir against the government, the multi-purpose health workers union (women), Punjab, today staged a protest rally demanding reinstatement of the 176 women workers (auxiliary nursing midwives) whose services were terminated a few days ago.

The women health workers, backed by other health employee associations which have also thrown their weight behind the sacked workers, staged a rally from the Civil Surgeon’s office to the Deputy Commissioner complex, disrupting traffic on the busy Ferozepur Road for some time in the afternoon.

The sudden termination of contract had left the workers harried and full of resentment.

The workers’ union handed over a memorandum to the DC, demanding their reinstatement at the earliest. “We are only demanding what is right and just. The 176 workers should be adjusted in the department as soon as possible or the union would be forced to take the struggle to the next level,” said a health worker at the protest rally.

The workers also burnt an effigy of the state government while shouting slogans. A representative of the union, said, “We are not going to relent and want the workers to be reinstated.” She added the union members had been called by the Health Secretary in Chandigarh for talks later in the day.

Later in the evening, the five-member team which went to Chandigarh to meet Health Secretary Satish Chandra termed the meeting as ‘unfruitful’.

Convener of Sehat Mulajim Manch, Harinder Desanj, said they were told by the health secretary that the reinstatement of the workers could take about a year. “However, when we questioned why it would take so long to adjust the workers, we were snubbed by the official. We are now contemplating our next move and will not relent till the workers are reinstated.”

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