Mass termination sparks protests at Victoria Hospital: Over 50 hospital workers lose jobs

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Fifty-six ward attendants, predominantly women from Dalit and marginalised communities, faced sudden termination from their roles at BMCRI (Victoria Hospital) in Bengaluru on May 8, sparking protests at the hospital.

Sharath, a District Committee member of All India Central Council of Trade Union (AICCTU) during their continued protest on May 11 informed News Trail, “Initially only 56 workers who were terminated were protesting, but now an additional 20 workers stood in solidarity with their friends and colleagues.”

He added that, however, they were coerced into signing letters falsely claiming they were pressured to protest. Upon refusal to lie and sign, they too lost their jobs on Saturday making the total number of workers who unjustly lost their jobs over 70.

On May 10, VV Puram police detained and allegedly manhandled the protestors and leaders outside Victoria Hospital. Their detention lasted over three hours before they were released.

Despite the service of the workers, ranging from 10 to 30 years each, these workers were unjustly labelled as contract labourers, denying them the rights they deserved as permanent employees.

Sharath added that a meeting with the hospital's dean is scheduled for Monday to discuss employment terms, warning that if no action is taken, all hospital workers plan to protest in solidarity with their colleagues.

In denial of their right to protest, the demonstrators clarified their intention to protest solely at the hospital, rather than at Freedom Park as mandated, since the issue pertains to the hospital, not the park.

After the protest on May 8, intervention from the Labor Department suggested the hospital reappoint these workers. However, the hospital has not shown any intention of reinstating them.