The National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) staged a powerful protest on Monday outside the BMC’s Public Health Department in the F-South Ward, demanding resolution of unpaid salaries and denial of essential benefits. The group, employed by private contractors since 2014, decried being uncompensated for three consecutive months and denied maternity leave, bonuses and equitable pay.
Chants of “Timely salaries now” and calls to end contractual exploitation filled the air as protesters, led by union figures Baba Kadam and Satyawan Javkar, held placards demanding immediate remedies. An anonymous staff member shared, “We worked through the COVID‑19 crisis, yet we struggle for basic entitlements.” Their frustration echoes a broader call for labour justice in Mumbai’s health sector. Executive Health Officer Dr Daksha Shah engaged with the demonstrators, committing to expedite release of due salaries and to escalate unresolved pledges to senior officials. Workers have set their sights on the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly session, urging legislative attention to contract reform and equitable treatment.
This protest surfaces amidst a sustained push for sustainable urban health services. Contractual employment, while cost-effective, has often left frontline workers vulnerable. Critics argue this model undermines job security, gender-neutral benefits like maternity leave, and morale—raising concerns for urban public health priorities. Mumbai’s aim for a zero-carbon, equitable city hinges on its capacity to support all tiers of its healthcare workforce. Mumbai is not alone: in April, Pune’s NHM staff—comprising community nurses and technicians—marched in protest after months’ worth of unpaid wages. Over 2,200 workers there wore black ribbons in a plea for timely payments, reflecting the sprawling impact of payment delays across Maharashtra’s public health system.
The BMC has long resorted to contractual hiring under NUHM to fill gaps in services swiftly. While this has expanded reach, it has also created inequities. Contractual staff receive lower wages and fewer benefits compared to permanent employees, undermining the city’s drive for inclusive, equitable public service access across gender lines and income groups. Economists and health policy experts point out that deferred payments can erode trust, disrupt services, and drive workers away—jeopardising care for vulnerable communities. Mumbai’s slum-dense wards, particularly F-South Ward—which encompasses high-density, low-income populations—depend on these workers for maternal care, immunisation drives, and primary health access.
The protest’s emotional core lies in its human dimension: workers who stood at the frontline during the pandemic now face wage uncertainty and insecure conditions. Their demand is clear—beyond fixes to the payroll backlog, they want systemic reforms that offer dignity and stability. As dialogues unfold, tangible progress will be crucial. Will the BMC deliver back-pay and benefits? Will the state government enact reforms in the Assembly? Can Mumbai’s public health apparatus evolve to ensure eco-equitable care—valuing and protecting the people who deliver it?
At a time when equitable, green cities hinge on robust social infrastructure, the resolution of this protest could set a precedent—signalling that sustainable urban futures must include sustainability for those who serve.
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