Capital Hospital’s cleaning staff stage stir over bonus, wages

Bhubaneswar: Around 250 members of the housekeeping staff at Capital Hospital have been staging demonstration in front of the administrative building demanding bonus and proper wages. On Tuesday, the stir entered the second day. Despite taking part in the agitation, the housekeeping staff, mostly sweepers, have been carrying out their duties.
“Some of us stage dharna, while others work in the hospital,” said Mani Dei, one of the protesters who has been working in the hospital for five years.
The housekeeping staff said they were receiving bonus and advance salary during festival times. “But now the new outsourcing agency is not ready to pay the bonus or advance salary. Previously, the agencies were paying us salary for 30 days. Now this company is paying for 26 days,” the agitators said in a press release.
“While employees get increments, our salary is decreasing. This agency should go,” they pointed out. The housekeeping staff had submitted a memorandum to chief minister Mohan Majhi requesting him to look into their demands.
Capital Hospital authorities said it is the outsourced agency’s responsibility to clarify on this. It is learnt that a meeting was conducted on this issue where authorities of Capital Hospital, the outsourcing agency, and the labour commissioner had taken part.