28-Year Contractual Employee at Sundernagar Hospital Denied Retirement Benefits
A contractual employee of the National Health Mission (NHM) at Sundernagar Civil Hospital in Himachal Pradesh has been denied retirement benefits after serving for 28 years. The employee, who worked as a laboratory technician, was appointed on a contractual basis in 1995 and continued in the same capacity until his retirement in 2023. Despite his long tenure, he has not received any pension, gratuity, or other retirement benefits that are typically provided to regular employees.
Details of the Case
The employee, identified as Raj Kumar, stated that he joined the hospital in 1995 as a contractual lab technician under the NHM. Over the years, he performed duties similar to those of regular staff, including handling critical lab tests and managing the laboratory during emergencies. However, his contractual status meant that he was not entitled to the benefits enjoyed by permanent employees. After retiring in March 2023, he approached the hospital administration and the NHM authorities multiple times, but his requests for retirement benefits were ignored.
Plight of Contractual Healthcare Workers
Raj Kumar's case is not an isolated incident. Many contractual employees under the NHM and other health programs in Himachal Pradesh face similar issues. These workers are often hired on temporary contracts that are renewed annually, and they are not provided with job security or retirement benefits. Despite working for decades, they are treated as daily wage or temporary workers, leaving them without financial support after retirement.
Response from Authorities
When contacted, the Chief Medical Officer of Sundernagar stated that contractual employees are not covered under the state's pension scheme and are only entitled to benefits as per their contract terms. He added that the matter has been forwarded to the NHM headquarters for a decision. Meanwhile, the NHM directorate has not issued any statement on the issue. Raj Kumar has threatened to file a case in the Himachal Pradesh High Court if his demands are not met.
Need for Policy Change
Healthcare activists have called for a policy change to provide retirement benefits to long-serving contractual employees. They argue that these workers have contributed significantly to the healthcare system and deserve the same benefits as regular employees. The state government has been urged to regularize the services of contractual workers who have served for more than 10 years and to provide them with pension and gratuity.
Conclusion
The denial of retirement benefits to a 28-year contractual employee at Sundernagar Civil Hospital highlights the systemic issues faced by temporary healthcare workers in Himachal Pradesh. Without policy intervention, many more employees who have dedicated their careers to public health may retire without financial security.
