Mysuru:  Nearly 90 Pourakarmikas and security guards of PKTB Hospital on KRS Road staged a flash strike in front of the hospital for nearly three hours this morning, demanding regular payment of salaries, PF and ESI.

The protest was organised by Karnataka State District Hospital Contract Pourakarmikas and Employees Association and Dalit Sangharsh Samiti  (Ambedkar faction).

The Pourakarmikas and the security guards alleged that the contractors were harassing and exploiting them as they did not pay the salaries on time and were denying them PF and ESI contributions. Besides, even during emergencies in their  families they were denied holidays, they claimed.

The contractors collected money of Rs.1,500 for the uniform by deducting Rs.500 for three months when it was supposed to be given freely and they demanded the money back. They also wanted salary slips to be given to them every month.

The Pourakarmikas said that the kind of work they did of cleaning toilets and hospital was full of risk as they were prone to work under conditions where they would catch infections frequently. Hence, they said that they wanted gloves and mask to be given to them.

PKTB Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Virupaksha who came to the spot assured the protesters that all their demands would be looked into at the earliest and the problems solved in ten days. Regarding the hike in salary of Rs.14,000 per month and whether PF and ESI contribution was being made, he said that the Government had to take a decision on the hike in salary, while the register would be checked for PF and ESI contribution.

Association President R.R. Ramesh, Vice-President Nagaveni, General Secretary G. Murugan and K. Nanjappa of the Samiti and others led the protest.