Sanitation workers of Capital Hospital stage protest, demand Puja bonus ahead of Dussehra

Sanitation workers of Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar went on cease work and staged a protest over a host of demands. Among their demands were Puja bonus for upcoming Dussehra festival and salary for 30 days instead of 26 days.

As per reports, the sanitation workers demonstrated outside the hospital director’s office and shouted slogans as part of the protest. They have even warned the hospital authorities to continue their protest until their demands are fulfilled.

Healthcare services have been hugely affected at the hospital due to the cease work by the sanitation workers. Huge amount of garbage has been scattered around the campus due to the ongoing protest. It had turned the hospital premises filthy with foul smell emanating from the garbage.

More than 200 sanitation workers have reportedly joined the protest. As a result, wastes have not been lifted from inside wards and other areas of the hospital. Wastes including stale food, injection syringes and other stuff used in treatment were also found strewn at random places in the hospital premises, said a local.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Capital Hospital has written a letter to the concerned agency to take immediate action to resolve the issue and restore the cleaning and sanitation services at the earliest.

“Kindly look into the matter and provide a swift solution to prevent any further disruption. In the future, we would appreciate prior intimation in case of any staff grievances or operational difficulties that may lead to such a situation,” the letter read.

Earlier last year, sanitation workers of the Hospital had also staged a demonstration in front of the hospital director’s office opposing the new tender holder.