MP outsourced health workers await pending arrears:Employees yet to receive ₹70,000–75,000 despite repeated NHM payment orders

Outsourced employees working at community health centres, sub-health centres and medical colleges under Madhya Pradesh’s Health Department have not received arrears linked to revised minimum wages for the past two years, despite repeated directives from the National Health Mission (NHM). Officials say the delay has been caused by the frequent change of contractors and the absence of accurate employee records, making it difficult to identify eligible beneficiaries for arrear payments. Poor record-keeping major hurdle According to officials, contractors have failed to maintain proper records of employees and have frequently hired and removed workers without systematic documentation. As a result, the Health Department has been unable to determine which employees are entitled to receive arrears. Revised minimum wages yet to be implemented Following an order by the Labour Commissioner, outsourced employees across the state were to receive revised minimum wages effective April 1, 2024. The Health Department employs the second-highest number of outsourced workers after the state’s power companies. However, these employees have yet to receive either the revised wages or the corresponding arrears. Many outsourced workers in the department currently earn only ₹8,000–9,000 per month, despite the government’s prescribed minimum wage of approximately ₹12,450 per month for unskilled workers. Workers owed 26 months of arrears Under the government’s decision, employees are entitled to revised salaries from April 2024 along with arrears. As a result, nearly 26 months of arrears are pending. Estimates suggest that each employee is entitled to ₹70,000–75,000 in unpaid dues. Outsourced workers have staged protests in several districts demanding immediate payment. NHM issued two separate orders The National Health Mission first issued instructions on May 29 directing authorities to process arrear payments. After districts failed to take the required action, the NHM issued another order on June 15, asking officials to submit updated employee details to facilitate the payments. Employees warn of protest at health minister’s residence Employee unions have warned that if arrears are not released soon, they will stage a protest outside the Health Minister’s official residence in Bhopal. The All Department Outsource Temporary Employees Front is scheduled to meet on June 28 to finalise its protest strategy. Union alleges financial exploitation Vasudev Sharma, State President of the Temporary Contract Outsourced Workers’ Union, alleged that employees are being paid significantly less than the minimum wages fixed by the government. He accused contractors and officials of acting in collusion, resulting in financial losses for outsourced workers. Six-point charter of demands The employees’ union has announced an agitation based on a six-point charter of demands, which includes: