Ernakulam Government Medical College temporary hire leads to row

KOCHI: One person brought to Ernakulam Government Medical College (EMC) on a working arrangement from Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College (TMC) had to return on Thursday without being able to join duty due to the protest by 150 odd daily wage staff and contract labourers who suspected it was an attempt to deny them jobs. Following the protest, the appointment order of Paravur native Sebastian who was to join three other sewage treatment plant operators, was cancelled by the Director of Medical Education (DME) on the instruction of the health minister.

The strike affected the functioning of the hospital for two hours. “The daily and contract staffs were under the impression that they will lose their job. We brought him as the three existing staff complained of excess work. Though they were told that it is only temporary arrangement, they were not ready to believe it, following which the order was cancelled,” said EMC principal Dr V.K. Sreekala.   Dr Sreekala said that doctors are being appointed on working arrangement from Idukki and Konni medical colleges which do not create any problem. “One doctor joined from Idukki Medical College on Thursday in the anatomy department and another in the forensic department. One new appointment has been made in the biochemistry department,” she said.