Health workers demand pay, face FIR after confronting Health Minister
Tension erupted at the Manjeri Government Medical College in Kerala when a group of temporary staff members confronted State Health Minister Veena George during her visit. The staff, including nurses, nursing assistants, cleaning workers, and X-ray technicians, alleged they had not received their salaries for over two months and sought immediate intervention from the Minister.
Eyewitnesses said the Minister was preparing to leave after inaugurating new projects on Tuesday when she was stopped by the aggrieved employees. The situation grew tense as the workers insisted on voicing their concerns before she departed the premises.
What led to police involvement and a case being registered?
Following the confrontation, police registered a case against several of the protesting employees. The complaint was filed by the college Principal, Dr. K.K. Anil Raj, who named certain contract staff under the Hospital Development Society (HDS).
According to police, the case was filed under sections related to unlawful assembly and public disturbance. Authorities claimed that the group's protest created a potential law-and-order issue, prompting legal action.
What are the workers saying about the salary delay?
The protesting staff have stated that repeated appeals to hospital authorities about the salary delay were ignored. Many workers say they rely entirely on their monthly wages and are now facing severe financial strain due to the two-month non-payment.
The incident has sparked criticism from opposition leaders and labour unions, who accuse the government of using police action to silence legitimate workplace grievances.
They argue that instead of addressing the salary backlog, the administration has chosen to penalise those speaking out.
Minister Veena George, a two-time CPM legislator and former journalist, has not yet responded publicly to the incident.
Is this an isolated case or part of a larger issue?
The salary crisis at Manjeri Medical College appears to be part of a broader issue plaguing Kerala’s public institutions. In a related development, employees at the state-run Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) in Pookode, Wayanad, have also reported unpaid salaries for July.
Sources suggest the ongoing financial distress of the Kerala government is the primary reason behind these delays.