Protests Over Pay Revision, Due salaries: Kerala doctors to hold candlelight vigil on 10th march

As per a KGMCTA press release, signed by State President, Dr. Binoy S, "Doctors in government medical colleges will hold various protests against the non-payment of arrears of salaries to medical college doctors in the state who have worked hard to curb the spread of COVID in Kerala."

Earlier, it was decided that on 10/3/2021 at 6.30 pm in front of the Secretariat, all the medical college doctors in Kerala will hold a candlelight protest. However, at the request of the Office of the Hon'ble Minister, the protest in front of the Secretariat was postponed to 17/3/2021. But now on 10/3/2021, all the medical colleges will hold candlelight vigils at 6.30 pm.

KGMCTA has already adopted an action plan to protest against the non-payment of dues. Previously Medical Dialogues reported that KGMCTA is organizing protests against the non-payment of salary arrears, including the Medical College Doctors' Allowance Reform (NPA, PCA), and the non-resolution of irregularities, including entry cadre and career advancement promotions. KGMCTA elaborated that the salary revision for doctors in government medical colleges in 2016 has been extended to 2020. No salary arrears including allowances due during this period were received.

In the discussions held by various organizations with the government under the chairmanship of the Minister of Health, the Health Secretary himself, who is the representative of the Government, stated that the medical college doctors are entitled to the arrears including salary arrears from July 1, 2017. The organization later discussed the matter with the Finance Minister.

"But when the order came, the arrears of allowance were allowed only from July 1, 2019. The arrears of allowance from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2019 are lost. We have to overcome it. Although the government acknowledged the inadequacy of salaries in the entry cadre and the reduction in the time limit for career advancement promotion at the minute meeting, its order has not been issued. That too should come down soon", stated the association.

The association in a recent press release stated that the doctors were paid a meager amount without being paid in full the arrears of salary and allowances. While all other employees in the state were given decent pay rises, the medical college doctors who neglected even their own lives and tried to shore up the state from the Kovid tragedy were given only nominal benefits.