Wanaparthy: Workers from the government hospitals in Atmakur, Veepanagandla, Killa Ghanpur, and Revalli protested at the collectorate on Monday. They handed a petition to the additional collector via Prajavani, demanding the immediate payment of five months’ overdue wages and the removal of Venkataiah Agency due to harassment and irregularities in wage and PF/ESI payments.
At the protest, P Suresh, State secretary of the Telangana Medical Contract Workers’ Union (AITUC), called for the immediate dismissal of Venkataiah Security Services Agency. He accused the agency of corruption by deducting from workers’ salaries.
Instead of the promised Rs 11,250 for sanitation, security, and patient care supervisors at the health centres in Atmakur, Veepanagandla, Killa Ghanpur, and Revalli, the agency has only paid Rs 9,500 in the last three months.
Suresh highlighted that according to GO 60 and instructions from the commissioner of Vaidya Vidhana Parishad, workers should receive Rs 12,093. The agency, however, has been paying less, exploiting the workers.
Workers have not been paid for five months, causing distress, especially during major festivals like Bathukamma and Dasara. The agency blames the government for not releasing the budget for six months, he added.
Suresh urged the government to show compassion and release the budget immediately.
AITUC district vice-president Sriram, CPI town secretary Ramesh, along with union leaders and workers like MD Sattar, Anil, Balaraj, Arun, Parvatamma, Chennamma, Nagamma, Shailaja, Manemma, and Balakishtamma, joined the protest.
