Tezpur, November 4, 2025 (Tuesday): National Health Mission (NHM) workers across Assam staged a coordinated statewide sit-in protest on Monday (November 3), demanding equal pay, permanent employment, and social security benefits at par with regular state government employees. The demonstrations were organized under the joint call of the All Assam Health and Technical Welfare Association (AAHTWA) and NHM, marking a significant show of unity among healthcare workers across the state.
In Sonitpur, NHM workers assembled at Tezpur Court Chariali for a mass sit-in demonstration. The protesters gathered with placards and banners highlighting their key demands: equal pay for equal work, implementation of pay scales with pay protection, provision of gratuity and pension schemes similar to regular state government employees, and comprehensive social security coverage for NHM health workers.
The protesting workers have presented a detailed nine-point charter of demands to the state government:
1. Pay Scale Implementation: A pay scale system should be implemented for all employees working under the National Health Mission, Assam, providing salary security along with remuneration as per the Pay Commission. This demand is backed by the Supreme Court’s verdict (No. 213 of 2013), which mandates equal pay for equal work and equal rights.
2. Gratuity System: Implementation of the gratuity system for employees as per the announcement published in the Assam Gazette Notification 2021.
3. Provident Fund: Provisions for Contributory/Employees Provident Fund for all employees.
4. Pension Scheme: The Employee Pension Scheme (UPS/NPS) should be made operational for all NHM employees.
5. Family Security: If any employee dies while in service, full salary should be paid to family members until the completion of the service period, or alternatively, the nearest eligible family member should be provided employment in NHM according to their qualifications.
6. Leave Policy: Leave entitlements similar to regular state employees, including two years of Child Care Leave instead of the current limited provision.
7. Medical Coverage: All employees should be included in the Mukhyamantri Mahila Arthik Sashaktikaran Abhijan Yojana (MMLSAY), with medical reimbursement arrangements maintained until such inclusion is complete.
8. Permanent Employment: Long-serving NHM employees should be gradually appointed to regular posts in the state Health Department through a special recruitment process. If necessary, new posts should be created to provide permanent employment to all categories of employees.
9. Recruitment Priority: A specific policy should be formulated giving priority to NHM employees in state health sector recruitment, with age relaxation in applications and additional evaluation weightage in written and oral examinations.
Today (November 4), the second day of the statewide movement, Sonitpur NHM workers continued their sit-in protest at Tezpur Court Chariali, demonstrating their determination to see their demands met. The sustained presence of protesters reflects growing frustration among healthcare workers who feel their contributions have been undervalued despite their critical role in public health delivery.
The association announced that the sit-in protest would continue until November 5 due to the Assam government’s failure to respond positively to their demands. However, the movement will not end there. According to the organization’s previously declared schedule, if the government does not take immediate action to address the grievances of health workers, the protest will continue until November 12.
The ongoing protest could potentially impact healthcare services in rural and semi-urban areas, as NHM workers play a crucial role in implementing government health schemes, maternal and child health programs, disease surveillance, and community health initiatives across Assam.
