Nishar Mohammed & John Wilbert
Port Blair, Sept 17: Nearly 100 security guards working day and night at G B Pant Hospital have alleged that they are being exploited at work by Contractor, who is giving meager salary, compared to the salary paid by former Contractors.
As per the complaint of Security Guards, they have been working in the Health Department since last ten years and even during the time of COVID-19 pandemic, they served the department without any hesitation and fear.
According to the Security Guards, last the year Supreme Security Guard was holding a contract of GB Pant Hospital for providing Security Guards and then these Security Guards used to get a salary of Rs 437 per day+ EPF.
This year Shine Security Agency has got the contract for supply of Security Guards in GB Pant Hospital and since then these Security Guards are being paid Rs 282 per day, which is far less than the actual rate paid by the Health Department.
It seems that while everyone else is promoted in service but these Security Guards were demoted for no reasons.
According to the Security Guards some of them had reported about this matter to the Director of Health Services and had also given a written complaint but as usual nothing happened even after informing the Director of Health Service regarding this issue.
However, the Security Agency reportedly threatened the Security Guards of dire consequences if anyone complains again in this matter.
When Andaman Sheekha contacted the Secretary Labour Commissioner Mr. Sunil Kumar Singh, IAS in this issue, he said that the Department has not received any written complaint till now in this matter.
“If we get any written complaint, immediately we will inquire into the matter and if the said agency is found guilty, we will take stringent action against that agency,” he added.
