Siliguri, 24th August: The Darjeeling District Health Workers Union staged a protest today at Siliguri Municipal Corporation demanding payment of their pending wages. Reportedly, hundreds of health workers, despite working for long hours and being on the frontline amid the COVID-19 pandemic, have still not received their wages for the month of July.
The organization members warned of suspending all works related to COVID-19 if their wages are not paid within the next 7 days.
Shefali Bhattacharya, the Organization Secretary, stated that they are regularly carrying out door-to-door surveys with a minimum salary of Rs 3,125. However, that too is left unpaid. Besides, they also complained of being deprived of the basic allowances associated with COVID-19.
In this context, District Trinamool President Ranjan Sarkar assured of standing by the side of the health workers. He condemned the role of the SMC’s administrative board and stated that an economic crisis has been created.
Meanwhile, Shankar Ghosh, member of BoA at SMC, accused Ranjan Sarkar of making inappropriate comments without having detailed knowledge in the matter. He further claimed that the State Urban Development Agency (SUDA) officials have been contacted regarding the unpaid wages. He stated that the demands that the health workers have made are absolutely justified.