Haryana govt invokes law to stop health workers from going on strike for next 6 months

Doctors in the Haryana Tuesday suspended OPD work in support of their demands. Govt invoked the stringent Essential Services Maintenance Act, declaring the stir illegal.

Doctors of Haryana Civil Medical Service protest against the state government outside the hospital, in Gurugram on 11 January 2022 | ANI Photo

Chandigarh: Health services in government hospitals in Haryana were hit on Tuesday as doctors suspended OPD work in support of their demands.

However, the government cracked the whip on the protesting doctors and invoked the stringent Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), declaring the stir as illegal.

The doctors’ demands include creating specialist cadres for them and stopping the direct recruitment of senior medical officers.

Emergency services and COVID-19 vaccination drive continued in the state but OPD services were affected, said Rajesh Sheokand of Haryana Civil Medical Services Association, a body representing government doctors.

Health Minister Anil Vij said, “ESMA has been invoked in Haryana, now for six months health workers won’t be able to go on strike. This step has been taken as a group of doctors has gone on strike which is creating obstacles in steps being taken to contain the Covid surge.

The Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) allows the government to declare a strike illegal in the public interest.

This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.