Srinagar, Sept 11 (JKNS): The Jammu & Kashmir National Health Mission Employees Association (JKNHMEA) UT-Level Coordination Committee has decided to extend its ongoing strike for a further 72 hours, commencing from 12 September 2026, in support of the long-pending, genuine and legitimate demands of NHM employees across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
The Association reiterates that the issues being raised by NHM employees are neither new nor unjustified. These demands have already been acknowledged/admitted by the Government at different levels, yet no concrete, time-bound and satisfactory action has been taken towards their final resolution.
For nearly 18 years, thousands of NHM employees have continued to serve the public health system under contractual arrangements, often performing duties similar to their regular counterparts while remaining exposed to prolonged uncertainty regarding their future, remuneration and retirement security.
Core Demands
The ongoing agitation primarily concerns:
– Revision and enhancement of salaries/remuneration, in line with the legitimate expectations of employees and the changing service conditions.
– Retirement benefits and social security, including a dignified and workable Golden Handshake/retirement benefit policy for NHM employees who complete their service.
– Social security and welfare measures for the NHM workforce.
– Resolution of other long-pending service-related issues through a clear, transparent and time-bound mechanism.
The Association maintains that NHM employees are an integral part of the healthcare delivery system of Jammu & Kashmir. They have worked in hospitals, health centres and field-level institutions, particularly during difficult circumstances and public-health emergencies, and have consistently contributed to keeping essential healthcare services functional.
Despite repeated representations, meetings, assurances and continuous dialogue with the concerned authorities, the employees are still awaiting a concrete policy decision and an official roadmap for resolution of their demands.
The UT-Level Coordination Committee therefore considers it necessary to continue the democratic and peaceful agitation until the Government initiates a meaningful process leading towards a definite and time-bound resolution.
Appeal to NHM Employees
The JKNHMEA UT-Level Coordination Committee appeals to all categories of NHM employees across Jammu & Kashmir to remain united, disciplined and peaceful during the extended 72-hour strike and to participate in the programme with full solidarity.
The Association also makes it clear that the agitation is not against the public or the healthcare system. It is a collective struggle for justice, dignity, job security and a sustainable future for thousands of employees who have served the health sector for years.
The Committee remains committed to dialogue and urges the Government to take the matter seriously and convene a high-level meeting with the representatives of NHM employees at the earliest, so that the present situation can be brought to a meaningful conclusion through a concrete decision rather than further assurances.
JKNHMEA appeals to the Government to convert the already acknowledged concerns into actual policy action and provide a clear, time-bound resolution to the long-pending demands of NHM employees. (JKNS)
