Frustration boiled over in Una as Krishna Lab staff, integral to Himachal’s Mukhyamantri Nidan Yojana, launched a three-hour strike over two months’ unpaid salaries. Housed within the district’s regional hospital, this private facility aims to deliver low-cost medical tests to locals, but workers are now the ones in distress.
Distant commuters from regions including Dudhraj endure rented accommodations, their lives unraveling without paychecks. Rent, utilities, food, and family support have become insurmountable barriers. Management’s assurances—latest one promising Monday payouts—fell flat by Tuesday, igniting the walkout.
All lab personnel joined the 9 AM to 12 PM shutdown, vowing intensified action via state union directives if resolutions falter. ‘We want to work, but can’t survive without salary,’ they declared. Personal stories paint a grim picture: Narendra Kumar battles landlord disputes and stress, while Sanjana skips her studies’ fees to scrape by.
Responding swiftly, CMO Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Verma revealed the unannounced strike but emphasized seamless patient care through in-house government labs. ‘No test is denied; we’re ensuring zero impact on health services,’ he stated.
The standoff spotlights vulnerabilities in outsourced health initiatives. With employees on the brink, authorities must prioritize payments to prevent broader service breakdowns and uphold the scheme’s promise of equitable healthcare access.