32,000 contract health workers begin indefinite strike:Online and offline services halted as employees plan CM House protest on June 8

Around 32,000 contractual health workers in Madhya Pradesh have begun an indefinite strike from Tuesday, affecting services under the National Health Mission (NHM). As part of the protest, employees have stopped both online and offline work. The striking workers have also announced plans to protest outside the Chief Minister’s official residence on June 8 if their demands remain unmet. The agitation is being led by the Contract Health Employees Association of Madhya Pradesh. Employees say government assurances remain unfulfilled State Association President Jitendra Bhadauria and State Coordinator Vijay Thakkar said that nearly 32,000 NHM employees have been providing healthcare services across the state for years. According to the association, Madhya Pradesh has received national recognition and awards for its healthcare performance, but the concerns of contractual health workers continue to be overlooked. The association claims that the state government had agreed in principle to several employee demands during a public felicitation programme attended by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on January 30, 2026, in Bhopal. However, employees say no concrete action has been taken despite nearly a year passing since those assurances were made. As a result, workers have intensified their protest through a phased agitation programme. Key demands of the contract health workers The striking employees have put forward the following demands: Protest has been conducted in phases The agitation began on May 25 and has gradually intensified. May 25–27: Black armband protest Employees across the state wore black armbands while performing their duties to register their protest. May 28–29: Submission of memorandums Workers submitted memorandums to district administrations, chief district health officials, and block-level medical officers outlining their demands. May 30–June 1: Outreach to public representatives Employees met elected representatives and public officials to explain their grievances and seek support. From June 2: Complete work boycott Contractual health workers stopped all official work, including online reporting, administrative duties, and field activities. June 8: Planned protest outside Chief Minister’s residence The association has announced that employees will gather outside the Chief Minister’s residence if the government does not initiate talks or take action on their demands. Health services may be affected The strike is expected to impact several healthcare programmes run under the National Health Mission, as contractual employees make up a substantial portion of the workforce delivering health services across Madhya Pradesh. The state government has not yet issued an official statement on the latest phase of the strike.