Around 32,000 contract health workers engaged under the National Health Mission (NHM) across Madhya Pradesh began an indefinite strike on Tuesday, disrupting a range of health services and administrative functions.
The agitation is being led by the Contract Health Employees Association, Madhya Pradesh. As part of the protest, employees have announced a complete boycott of both online and offline work until their demands are addressed. The association has also warned of a march to the Chief Minister’s residence in Bhopal on 8 June if no resolution is reached.
Association president Jitendra Bhadauria and state coordinator Vijay Thakkar said NHM employees have played a crucial role in implementing public health programmes and improving healthcare delivery across the state. They argued that despite contributing significantly to the state’s health achievements, their concerns continue to be overlooked.
The employees have accused the government of failing to implement assurances made during a public programme attended by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on 30 January 2026. According to the association, more than a year has passed without meaningful progress on the commitments made to contract workers.
The striking employees are demanding regularisation of services in line with the Chief Minister’s announcement, along with benefits under the state’s 2023 contractual employment policy. Their key demands include pension coverage under the National Pension System (NPS), health insurance, annual salary increments of 10 per cent, dearness allowance on par with regular government employees and improved leave provisions.
Community Health Officers (CHOs) have also sought revisions in performance-based incentive structures and corrections to alleged pay anomalies arising from equivalence determinations made by the government.
The association has further demanded implementation of the principle of equal pay for equal work and warned that the use of the Saarthak application would remain suspended until parity in wages and benefits is achieved.
The protest follows a phased agitation launched on 25 May. Between 25 and 27 May, employees wore black armbands while on duty. Memorandums were submitted to district collectors, Chief Medical and Health Officers (CMHOs) and Block Medical Officers (BMOs) on 28 and 29 May. From 30 May to 1 June, employees approached elected representatives to highlight their grievances.
With the indefinite strike now underway, concerns are growing over the possible impact on health services delivered through the National Health Mission, particularly in rural and underserved areas where contractual staff form a significant part of the workforce.
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