Malda Medical College Contractual staff launch stir over pending wages

Malda: Demanding timely disbursement of pending salaries, around 120 contractual employees from the trauma care wing at Malda Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) staged a 12-hour demonstration on Monday.  

The protest, which began at 5 am, saw participation from a range of ad hoc staff, including paramedics and security personnel. These employees were engaged through a private agency by the West Bengal Medical Services Corporation Limited (WBMSCL).

The protesters claim they have gone without wages for up to six months, despite working 12 to 14 hours a day. The strike has exposed the hospital's over-reliance on contractual manpower and its inability to ensure timely compensation.

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The demonstration led to noticeable disruptions in the functioning of the trauma care wing. With no security personnel present throughout the day, normal operations were partially affected.

As the demonstration continued through the day, senior officials of MMCH intervened and initiated talks with both the protesters and representatives of the medical services corporation and the private agency responsible for the staff’s recruitment.

A senior administrative official of MMCH said that MMCH is a major referral hospital in north Bengal, and such protests affect various operations. They expressed hope that the issue would be resolved soon.

Protesters had earlier submitted a memorandum signed by affected employees, appealing for urgent intervention. However, they say the hospital administration’s response has been lukewarm and lacking in urgency.

By late afternoon, hospital authorities assured the protesting workers that the matter had been escalated to the relevant authorities. Following the assurances, the employees called off their demonstration around 5 p.m.

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Speaking to The Statesman, Dr PP Mukherjee, principal of Malda Medical College and Hospital, clarified, “These temporary staff members are employed through a third-party agency. The college has no direct administrative control over its appointments. Nevertheless, we will look into the matter and take necessary steps.”

According to Telegraph India, “We understand the importance of a state-run referral hospital and withdrew the protests. But if the salaries continue to be irregular, we will be forced to launch the movement again,” said a security guard who had joined the protests.