Chandigarh 16th December, Though the PGI Administration has declared holiday for 17th December on the eve of elections of Municipal Corporation but more than 1400 contract workers have been asked to report for duties otherwise action will be taken against them besides deduction of wages. All offices, establishments, laboratories and departments will remain closed except Emergency Services but the supporting staff has been illegally and arbitrarily asked by office of Medical Superintendent to report for duty on 17th December, 2011.
The PGI Administration has also fixed the meeting of Standing Finance Committee for 17th December at Chandigarh, which will be chaired by Union Health Secretary. The inauguration of Dialysis Unit has also be scheduled for 17th. More than 300-400 permanent employees from Administration, Accounts, Engineering, Nephrology, Security, etc. will be involved in these programmes. They will not be able to cast their vote in MCC elections.
The Chandigarh Administration has declared the general holiday by issuing a Notification to the following extent;
“All the offices, Boards, corporations and Institutions, under the Chandigarh Administration, Union Territory, Chandigarh will remain closed on Saturday, December 17, 2011 on account of General Election to the Municipal Corporation. This will also be paid holiday in Industrial Shops and Commercial Establishments and for daily wage employees.”
The PGI Administration adopts the holidays calendar and general holidays declared by Chandigarh Administration.
However, the PGI Administration has been threatening contract workers to attend duties on 17th or face action besides ‘no work, no pay’. The PGI Contract Workers Union strongly condemn the unfortunate and arbitrary action of PGI Administration
The PGI Contract Workers Union will send a complaint to Election Commission and Regional Labour Commissioner for the unfair labour practice adopted by PGI Administration.