Thousands of National Health Mission (NHM) workers from different parts of Assam gathered in Guwahati’s Chachal area on Wednesday to continue their protest for “equal pay for equal work”. The protesters sat on a peaceful dharna and also boycotted work. They said they would not return to duty until the Assam government listens to their demands and gives them fair treatment.
Before starting the protest, the workers paid an emotional tribute to late Assamese singer Zubeen Garg. They lit candles, kept his photograph in front, and offered silent prayers. Many protesters said Zubeen Garg always spoke for the common people and supported the youth of Assam, so they wanted to honour him before starting their struggle.
The NHM workers said they have been serving the state’s healthcare system for many years but still do not get proper salary or job benefits. Many of them said they have been working for more than ten years, some even for twenty years, but their service is still contractual. They complained that they work just like government doctors, nurses, lab technicians, and health workers, but their salary is much lower. They also do not get job security or pension. 
One worker said he joined NHM in 2005 and has been working for nearly 20 years. He remembered that when Himanta Biswa Sarma was the Health Minister, he promised equal pay for NHM workers. The protester said even after Mr. Sarma became the Chief Minister, the promise has not been fulfilled. He demanded that NHM workers should get salary as per the 7th Pay Commission until their jobs are made permanent.
Another worker recalled the Covid-19 pandemic and said NHM staff worked day and night during that time. “We were called Covid warriors and we worked at great risk. But today we are treated like temporary workers,” she said. According to her, the Supreme Court has already said that employees doing the same work must get equal pay. She also said the Assam government issued a notice in 2021 about giving 7th Pay Commission benefits to NHM staff, but the order is still not implemented.
The workers are also asking for other benefits such as pension, gratuity, paid emergency leave, and financial support for families of workers who die while on duty. They said NHM workers are an important part of the healthcare system, especially in rural areas. They run health centres, take part in vaccination campaigns, and help in emergency services, but their salary and facilities do not match their responsibilities.
