Hundreds of women health workers in Odisha launch indefinite dharna

More than 300 women health workers in Ganjam district of Odisha launched a Dharna (sit-in) protest on Monday, demanding long-pending promotions. The workers gathered in front of the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO)’s office and began a sit-in demonstration.

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The protesting health workers alleged that while promotions have been granted to their counterparts in most districts of the State, those working in Ganjam have been left out.

Expressing strong dissatisfaction, they expressed that the unusual delay has caused frustration among employees who have been serving in the public health system for years.

According to the protesters, repeated appeals to the authorities have not produced any results so far. As a result, they have decided to continue the agitation until their demands are fulfilled.

The women health workers announced that the protest will continue indefinitely unless the administration addresses their grievances and issues the pending promotions.

They urged the State government and Health Department officials to take immediate steps to resolve the issue and ensure fair treatment for employees in the district.

“I have already completed 36 years of service and will retire on March 31. I am on strike along with my colleagues, demanding our promotion. We will call off the dharna only if we are accorded promotions as per our respective eligibility. We will indefinitely continue the strike and cease the work unless and until our demands are met,” a protestor said.

“We used to conduct surveys on infant and maternal mortality rates, carry out birth and death registrations, work on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and administer preventive vaccines to people at the grassroots level. Male workers are being promoted, but we have been deprived of the basic service benefit,” another protestor stated.