More than 100 UPNAL sanitation workers at Doon Medical College Hospital in Dehradun continued their strike for a third day on Monday, demanding “equal pay for equal work”. The protest has affected cleaning services in wards, dustbins and toilets in the hospital’s old building.

The accumulation of dirt has raised concerns among patients and attendants about the risk of infection. The disruption is particularly significant in a hospital setting, where sanitation in wards, toilets and other patient areas is an essential part of daily operations.

Talks end without agreement

Doon Medical College principal Dr Geeta Jain held talks with the protesting workers and sought one month to address their demand. The employees, however, insisted on a written assurance, and the meeting ended without an agreement.

The workers accused officials of misleading them. Their central demand is equal pay for equal work, but the available account does not specify the amount they currently receive or the pay they are seeking.

Allegations over ICU incident

During the protest, the workers also created a disturbance over an allegation involving Deputy Medical Superintendent Dr Amit Kumar. They alleged that he pushed and behaved improperly with a sanitation worker during cleaning work in the intensive care unit.

Principal Dr Geeta Jain rejected the allegation. The account does not establish that the alleged incident occurred, and no further official finding on it has been reported.

Difference between officials’ positions

The dispute has also exposed differences between senior hospital officials over the status of the workers’ demand. Director Dr Ashutosh Sayana said an order had been issued about one and a half months earlier.

Dr Geeta Jain, however, cited the absence of financial approval. The conflicting explanations leave the workers seeking clarity about whether the order has been implemented and what remains before any pay change can take effect.

For patients and attendants, the immediate issue is the continued disruption of sanitation services in the old hospital building. The next reported step is further engagement between the workers and hospital authorities, although the workers have not accepted the principal’s request for one month without written assurance.

Conclusion

The strike by more than 100 UPNAL sanitation workers at Doon Medical College Hospital remains unresolved. Talks have failed to produce the written assurance sought by employees, while cleanliness concerns continue in parts of the old building and officials offer different explanations about the pending pay decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why are the sanitation workers on strike?

The workers are demanding “equal pay for equal work”.

Q. How many workers are involved?

More than 100 UPNAL sanitation workers are participating in the strike.

Q. How long had the strike continued on Monday?

The strike had entered its third day on Monday.

Q. Which areas were affected by the cleanliness disruption?

Dirt had accumulated in wards, dustbins and toilets in the hospital’s old building.

Q. What did the principal offer during talks?

Principal Dr Geeta Jain sought one month to address the workers’ demand.

Q. Why did the talks fail?

The workers wanted a written assurance and did not accept the request for time without it.

Q. What allegation was made against Dr Amit Kumar?

The workers alleged that Dr Amit Kumar pushed and behaved improperly with a sanitation worker during cleaning work in the ICU. Dr Geeta Jain rejected the allegation.