Health ministry orders medical technologists, pharmacists on strike to resume work

They have been abstaining from work for the past few days, demanding 10th-grade salaries

The health and family welfare ministry has asked medical technologists and pharmacists on strike over the past few days to return to their work stations.

In a media statement issued on Friday, the ministry urged the staff to end their work abstention programme, which was launched to demand promotion to the 10th grade.

The ministry said the government is “sincere” about meeting the demand but requires time to implement the changes.

Legal action has also been threatened against the protesters, as their strike went against public interest, it added.

“The health directorate and the ministry have completed all necessary actions and informed the concerned parties, but the government must be given time to resolve this long-standing issue,” the statement read.

On Nov 30, medical technologists and pharmacists started work abstention for two hours from 9am. The programme was extended to four hours later and then to “complete shutdown”.

The protesters allege that, for a long time, they have not been promoted to the 10th grade like diploma engineers, nurses, and agriculturalists, despite having equivalent educational qualifications.