Health workers protest abrupt termination

NT Correspondent

Hundreds of contract health workers (Covid warriors) across the state gathered at the Freedom Park on Friday protesting against their abrupt release, which has left them jobless.

The protest was organised by Karnataka Health Department Contract Employees Association (KHDCEA) with support from the All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC). One of the placards read “Then Covid warriors, now street warriors’"

KHDCEA president Mahesh Nadagouda said that 6,463 covid warriors working on a contract basis have been released on March 31. “We demand the state government to appoint them in vacant job positions in the health department across the state. Many workers have not received 2 to 3 months salary before they were relieved, and that has to be settled. The government had announced Covid relief fund for the health workers, but it has not been released,” he added.

KHDCEA Secretary Avinash said that Covid warriors worked when the whole world was suffering and now we are suffering. He further added “We left all our families behind, didn’t have any time limits, many of us even tested positive, but we didn’t stop. The Chief Minister had assured us that he would make alternate arrangements for us to continue working in the health department. But the decision from the health department on March 31 shocked all of us. Many of us are dependent on this job, and request the government to listen to our suffering while we have given everything when in need.”

Commenting on the matter, Former Chief Minister, HD Kumaraswamy said that the BJP government is incapable of ruling. “During Covid, these health workers have worked without any hesitation. While everyone was frightened about the virus, they worked day and night sacrificing their own family time. Then they were Covid warriors and now they are at Freedom Park protesting. This is what the BJP is capable of,” said Kumaraswamy.

He assured the contract health workers that he will bring the issue to the government’s notice and be with them for support.