Contract workers at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research have warned that they may begin an indefinite hunger strike later this month if their long-pending demands are not addressed. The announcement comes just days before Union Health Minister JP Nadda is expected to visit the institute in Chandigarh.
According to the workers’ union, the hunger strike is planned for April 25 if pending payments and arrears are not cleared. The union has also warned that if there is no response after that, workers may begin a 24-hour strike from April 27.
The issue is significant because PGI is one of the country’s leading hospitals and medical institutions. A large number of patients from Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and other states visit the institute every day for treatment. Any disruption in services may affect hospital functioning and patient care.
The workers say they have repeatedly raised their concerns but have not received satisfactory action from the administration. Their main demand is the release of pending arrears and implementation of equal wages for contract employees doing the same work as regular staff.
The protest warning has come at a sensitive time because the Union health minister is expected to visit PGI on April 30. During the visit, he is likely to inaugurate two new facilities and attend the institute’s convocation ceremony.
The planned projects reportedly include the Advanced Neuroscience Centre and the Mother and Child Care Centre, which are expected to improve medical services in the region. However, the workers’ protest threat has now added pressure on the administration.
The contract workers’ union says many employees are waiting for unpaid dues for months. In a letter sent to the PGI director, the union listed several categories of pending payments.
According to the union, around ₹15 crore to ₹20 crore in arrears for hospital attendants is still unpaid. It also claimed that around ₹3.25 crore is pending for workers employed at satellite centres in Una and Sangrur.
Apart from this, the union alleged that a much larger amount linked to equal wages remains unpaid. It said around ₹65 crore should be released to contractual workers under the principle of “equal pay for equal work.”
ALSO READ: Trump says he does not care if Iran returns to talks after negotiations fail
ALSO READ: Putin announces 32-hour ceasefire in Russia-Ukraine war for Orthodox Easter
The workers claim that a central government notification issued on July 30, 2025, supported such payments, but implementation has been delayed. They say despite repeated requests, the dues have not been cleared.
Employees affected include hospital attendants, sanitation workers, kitchen staff, security guards, cooks, bearers, and other support workers. These workers handle many essential day-to-day services in the hospital.
Union representatives say they continued working during difficult periods and helped keep the hospital functioning, but now feel ignored. They argue that people doing regular and necessary work should not be left waiting for salaries and arrears.
The workers have warned that if their issues remain unresolved, they will intensify their protest in phases.
Contract workers form a large part of the support system at PGI. They are involved in cleaning wards, transporting patients, helping in hospital kitchens, maintaining order, and providing security services. If a large number of them stop work, routine hospital services may be affected.
Even though doctors and nurses may continue their duties, the absence of support staff can create serious operational challenges. Cleanliness, food supply, patient movement, and general hospital management depend heavily on such workers.
Last year, the Chandigarh administration had taken preventive steps when similar protest fears emerged. It invoked the Haryana Essential Services Maintenance Act for six months to prevent strikes that could disrupt essential services. That order was issued in August 2025 and remained in force until February this year.
The use of ESMA showed how seriously authorities viewed the possibility of a strike. However, with that period now over, workers have once again raised the issue through fresh protest warnings.
The PGI administration has not yet publicly announced how it plans to respond. It may hold talks with worker representatives to avoid disruption, especially before the minister’s scheduled visit.
Observers say the matter needs urgent resolution because both workers’ rights and patient care are involved. Delays in payments can cause hardship for employees and their families, while strikes can create inconvenience for thousands of patients.
The upcoming visit of the Union health minister is also likely to increase pressure on officials to settle the issue quickly. Public protests during such an event could draw national attention.
For many workers, the demand is simple: payment of pending dues and fair treatment. For the administration, the challenge is to maintain smooth hospital operations while addressing financial and legal concerns.
Patients and their families will now hope that both sides find a solution through dialogue before the protest dates arrive. PGI remains a vital healthcare centre for northern India, and uninterrupted services are important for everyone who depends on it.
Copyright © © 2022 Copyright. All Rights Reserved with Arth Parkash