AIIMS workers union demand investigation into death of canteen staffer, Rs 1 crore compensation as promised

Union for the workers at AIIMS has demanded an investigation in the death of a contract worker in the canteen of RP Centre and compensation of Rs 1 crore as decided for COVID warriors by the state

Photo courtesy- social media
Photo courtesy- social media
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NH Web Desk

The Union for the workers at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has demanded an investigation in the death of a contract worker in the canteen of RP Centre and compensation of Rs 1 crore as decided for COVID warriors by the state. It was reported earlier that a mess worker at AIIMS-Delhi had died of COVID-19 on May 23.

The Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had, on April 14, announced Rs 1 crore for the families of health workers if they die while dealing with COVID-19 cases.

The Resident Doctors Association had alleged that he died because the hostel administration did not take precautionary measures as demanded by it more than a month ago. The association also alleged the hostel superintendent tried to present the death as a "possible cardiac event" and demanded his and the senior warden's resignation.

The Delhi Asptal Theka Karamchari Union, in a letter to the AIIMS deputy director, stated that “It must be borne in the mind that these workers get exposed to all kinds of infections in the course of their work as they have to serve and deal with many people, including doctors and other health professionals. But they largely remain unprotected and untrained to deal with the current pandemic.”


The general secretary of the union, Dr Mrigank stated that the contractor neither provides them protective gear nor any allowance and despite premier medical science institute being principal employer, they too shun their responsibility to these workers.

The Union has demanded proper investigation and tracing of origin of infection. The union has also demanded that the kin of the worker should be given a job at the hospital. “Additionally, proper action should be taken to avoid such happenings in future. All the workers, whether permanent or outsourced, should be provided sufficient and appropriate protection against the corona infection,” added Mrigank.

The Resident Doctors Association had demanded regular screening and other safety measures like provision of thermal scanner, sanitizer, masks etc. to ensure mess workers are able to work safely. “These demands have fallen on deaf ears and hence the fatal outcome,” it said, requesting the AIIMS administration to provide compensation to the family of the mess worker who was "serving" them during the pandemic.


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