Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 19: Data Entry Operators (DEOs) engaged through outsourcing under the National Health Mission (NHM) in J&K have been without salaries for over three months.
The DEOs, who maintain vital health data systems across the Union Territory, said they are reeling under severe financial distress.
“Despite our continued service, we have not received our wages, leaving us in deep financial trouble,” they said.
The workers also alleged that the outsourcing agency engaged by NHM has failed to deposit their Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) contributions since taking charge of the contract.
“We are without salaries for the last three months, with the fourth month already underway,” they said, adding that the delay has pushed them and their families into crisis.
The employees said their families are “starving” for want of money.
“We are being forced to borrow to survive. They are playing with our future and pushing us to the edge,” said one of the distressed workers.
They expressed resentment over what they termed “complete apathy” by the authorities.
“While we continue to discharge our duties with dedication, NHM has failed to release our pending salaries, causing immense mental and financial agony,” they said.
The DEOs appealed to the Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, and NHM J&K to personally intervene and ensure the early release of their wages.
“We have been serving the department sincerely for years, yet today we are struggling to feed our children. Is this the reward for our hard work?” asked another employee.
The aggrieved workers urged the administration to resolve the issue on humanitarian grounds before it deepens the crisis for hundreds of families dependent on their income.
The post NHM DEOs without salaries for 3 months appeared first on Daily Excelsior.