Wenlock Hospital dismisses 40 more workers, protest continues

Wenlock Hospital dismisses 40 more workers, protest continues

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Mar 16: Around 40 members of the cleaning staff, who had been working at Wenlock Hospital for around 12 - 14 years, were shocked when they were told by the hospital authorities that their services were no longer needed. On the previous day, the hospital dismissed 18 security guards. These dismissals are reported to be the results of an agreement signed between Kasturba Medical College and the government. 

Yesterday, the cleaning staff of the hospital had not joined the protest staged by the security personnel under the auspices of the Democrative Youth Federation of India (DYFI). Today, they have decided to join the strike. 

District President of the DYFI Muneer Katipalla informed journalists on Monday that the hospital’s decision to sack workers without prior notice is inhuman. The dismissed workers, who were also present, voiced their grievances and said that they were never given the supposed monthly salary of Rs 3,750 and provident fund contribution according to the Minimum Wages Act. Instead, they were paid only Rs 2,500 every month without provident fund contribution from the hospital. 

A woman employee said that their contractor subtracts Rs 500 from their salary for provident fund. However, when they insisted that their PF accounts be shown to them, the contractor always gives vague answers, she alleged. Another worker said that the contractor had shown her the PF account number, adding that she was shocked to see that her PF accumulation was only Rs 1000 despite her service of 14 years. 

Mr. Katipalla alleged that the hospital authorities are now trying to woo back some of the dismissed workers in a bid to break their unity. He declared that the DYFI will protest till all the workers are taken back. 

Dr. B Saroja, the resident medical officer, said that this case is between the KMC and the workers. The KMC authorities, however, could not be contacted.