Mumbai: Hundreds of multipurpose workers at Jogeshwari Hospital have disrupted services for the last few days over unpaid dues spanning two months. They also alleged that the contractor has kept provident fund contributions pending for nearly 27 months.The workers, backed by the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena, have staged a day-and-night sit-in at the entrance of the hospital. On Wednesday, a meeting was held between the protesting workers and higher BMC officials.“We were given an assurance of a resolution within the next 15 days. However, nothing was provided in writing, so the protests will continue,” said Mukesh Sawant, one of the protesting workers.Dr Shailesh Mohite, director of BMC hospitals, who led the meeting, was unavailable for comment. Mangesh Panchal, another worker, said the contractor has disbursed only one month’s pay recently. “We are about 160 workers, many have been with the hospital since 2013 and have families to support,” he said.Meanwhile, a doctor in the emergency department said serious cases are being referred to Cooper Hospital. “There is no one to clean or assist patients. Used syringes have been lying around for days now,” the doctor added. Sources within the BMC health department said the situation could have escalated to violence against the contractor, but police intervened in time.Hospital officials remained unavailable for comment till press time.
