Aizawl: National Health Mission Employees Union of Mizoram (NEUM) on Monday called off their indefinite strike, a day after the state government banned staging of strikes by health employees amid COVID-19 pandemic.
The staff of National Health Mission, under the aegis of NEUM, has stayed off work since December 17, demanding regularisation under the state government and a regular pay. They also demanded they should avail of medical reimbursement and travelling allowance for transfer.
A statement issued by NEUM said the ongoing indefinite strike has been called off at 7 am on Monday following an assurance from Health Minister Dr. R. Lalthangliana that the government would take measures for regularisation of the NHM staff.
Besides regular pay, medical reimbursement and transfer travelling allowance, the health minister also assured that he would take measures for the welfare of the NHM staff, and to ensure that more and more staff are recruited in the upcoming recruitment under the state health department, it said.
Health Secretary R. Lalramnghaka also assured that he would make efforts to fulfill the demands and aspirations of the NEUM, the statement said.
The union apoligised to the general public, especially patients, who faced problems and inconvenience due to the strike. The indefinite strike had affected the healthcare system amid manpower crunch, sources said.
The Mizoram government had on Sunday prohibited strikes by employees under the state health department during the COVID-19 pandemic. The order issued by the health department had said that no employees under the health and family welfare department should organise strikes during the pandemic, as defined in the Mizoram Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1990. The order said that COVID-19 is still prevalent in the state.
In the wake of Omicron variant of COVID-19, there is urgent need to keep a close vigil on the incidence of local and regional spread of the pandemic and any strike, if organised by any section or category of employees under the health department, would adversely affect the healthcare service, the order had said.
The prohibitory order was valid for six months with effect from 7 pm on Sunday.
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