TN police detain hundreds of hospital workers ahead of Chennai protest

The Tamil Nadu police on Monday, October 12, detained hundreds of multi-purpose hospital workers, as they attempted to stage a hunger strike in Chennai demanding permanent employment and other benefits. Workers from several districts were allegedly placed under house arrest before they could reach the city for the protest.

According to the Multi-purpose Hospital Workers Development Association, 339 workers were detained across 20 districts and those who reached Chennai to stage a protest near Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore were also arrested.

The police subsequently carried them away and took them to community halls in Shenoy Nagar, Mylapore and in some wedding halls of the city.

According to the workers' association, more than 2,500 multi-purpose hospital workers are employed on a daily-wage basis in government hospitals across the state in jobs like cleaning, sanitation and patient assistance.

They were appointed on a temporary basis in 2013 and 2014 through the joint directors of the health department in each district.

Despite completing five years of service, the workers have not been regularised and continue to work on daily wages. They have repeatedly petitioned the state government seeking permanent employment, but left with no response.

The association had now announced a hunger strike at Rajarathinam Stadium in Chennai's Egmore on Monday, calling for job regularisation, a monthly day off and other demands.

However, police denied permission for the protest. Police personnel deployed at the spot arrested the protestors, transported them in government vehicles, and kept them at nearby community halls.

Leader of the Opposition, Udhayanidhi Stalin, condemned the state government's handling of the protest and alleged that the government had failed to implement promises made to medical staff before the elections. 

“Why is this Reels government resorting to such authoritarian measures that workers are arrested at their homes even before they set out to protest?” he asked.

Udhayanidhi also likened the detentions to the arrests of students travelling to Delhi to protest against alleged electoral irregularities.

He also demanded their immediate release and urged the Chief Minister to hold talks with them and take steps to fulfill their demands.

Talks between Family Welfare and Health Minister KG Arunraj and representatives of the workers' association were held on October 12  at the Directorate of Medical Services (DMS) campus. Talks would be held again on November 10.