Questions have been raised over delayed wage payments at AIIMS Rishikesh after UPNAL security personnel reported that they had not received salaries for 2 months. Other outsourced employees also remained without their monthly payment ahead of Diwali, leaving staff facing financial difficulties during the festival period.
Security personnel held a symbolic protest at Gate Number 3 on Friday morning, seeking payment of their pending wages. The demonstration lasted for some time. According to AIIMS public relations officer Dr. Shriloy Mohanty, talks were held with the security staff and they returned to work afterwards.
Bonus dispute affects hospital operations
The salary issue followed separate protests by outsourced workers over a Diwali bonus. Outsourced sanitation workers had staged a demonstration on Wednesday after seeking the bonus. The AIIMS administration assured them that the payment would be arranged.
When the workers did not see action on the demand by Thursday afternoon, they stopped work. The move disrupted sanitation arrangements in the emergency and trauma departments. The administration then gave the workers a written assurance that they would receive the bonus.
Outsourced hospital attendant staff began a work boycott on Friday after learning about that assurance. They also demanded a Diwali bonus. Hospital operations were affected while the protest continued.
Outsourced employees have also said that their honorarium has not been increased for 6 years. They allege that payments are not being made on time, adding to the pressure created by the delayed wages and festival expenses.
Administration says payment follows a monthly process
The protests have raised concerns about the administration's response to competing demands from different groups of outsourced workers. The report stated that decisions taken under pressure from one group had led to opposition from another, with consequences for hospital services.
Dr. Shriloy Mohanty said the normal process for paying outsourced employees takes place in the second week of every month. His statement did not specify when the pending payments would be credited.
The dispute has also revived concerns about earlier staff unrest at the institute. In October, nursing staff reportedly split into 2 groups and remained on strike for a long period. The disruption meant that several seriously ill patients returned without receiving treatment, according to the report.
For patients and attendants, the immediate concern is whether protests over wages, bonuses and delayed administrative decisions will again interfere with essential services. The latest security protest ended after talks, while the position of the other outsourced groups remained linked to their payment and bonus demands.
Conclusion
AIIMS Rishikesh faces continuing pressure over delayed wages and Diwali bonus demands among outsourced workers. Security staff returned after discussions, but the dispute has already affected sanitation and other hospital operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which AIIMS employees reported pending wages?
UPNAL security personnel reported that they had not received wages for 2 months. Other outsourced employees were also awaiting their monthly payment before Diwali.
Q. Where did the security personnel protest?
The security personnel held a symbolic protest at Gate Number 3 of AIIMS Rishikesh on Friday morning.
Q. Why did sanitation workers stop work?
They stopped work after their demand for a Diwali bonus was not acted upon by Thursday afternoon, despite an earlier assurance from the administration.
Q. Which hospital areas were affected by the sanitation workers' protest?
Sanitation arrangements in the emergency and trauma departments were affected.
Q. What did the hospital administration tell the security staff?
AIIMS officials held talks with the security personnel, after which they returned to work.
Q. What have outsourced employees said about their honorarium?
They said their honorarium had not increased for 6 years and that payments were not being made on time.
Q. When is the normal payment process for outsourced employees?
AIIMS public relations officer Dr. Shriloy Mohanty said the normal payment process takes place in the second week of every month.
Q. What happened during the earlier nursing staff dispute?
In October, nursing staff reportedly divided into 2 groups and remained on strike for a long period. Several seriously ill patients returned without receiving treatment, according to the report.
