05 October,2026 10:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde addresses the protesting health workers at Azad Maidan on Monday. PIC/BMC
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde on Monday directed the civic administration to expedite action on the pending demands of more than 1,700 outsourced health workers employed under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) who are protesting at Azad Maidan, and sought a one-time policy to accommodate eligible workers with 10 years of government service in regular or permanent employment.
Tawde visited the protest site and interacted directly with the health workers to understand their concerns. She assured them that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was committed to addressing their legitimate demands and said she would pursue the issues with the civic administration and the state government.
Corporator Rohidas Lokhande was also present during the meeting.
Following the interaction, Tawde wrote a detailed letter to the Additional Municipal Commissioner (City), directing that appropriate decisions on the workers' demands be taken at the earliest.
In her letter, Tawde noted that the outsourced health workers had served Mumbaikars during the Covid-19 crisis. She called for a comprehensive proposal to be prepared for absorbing experienced outsourced workers who have completed 10 years of government service into regular or permanent employment.
The proposal should consider a one-time policy for accommodating eligible workers against vacant posts and be submitted for approval to the BMC and the state government, the mayor said. She also directed that proposals already prepared at the administrative level be expedited.
Tawde also called for the revised minimum wage to be implemented and the benefit of a direct wage increase to be provided to the workers.
The mayor directed that women employees be granted their entitled paid maternity leave. She also sought follow-up with the government for a decision on providing Diwali ex-gratia assistance to the workers.
The letter further called for workers to receive their legal Provident Fund (PF) and Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) benefits within the prescribed timeframe.
Tawde also directed that the contractor agency, M/s DS Enterprises, be given a strict warning over delays in payment of wages.
She further directed that a grievance redressal committee for the employees be made operational under the chairmanship of the Executive Health Officer.
Speaking to the protesters, Tawde said the workers had worked round the clock during the Covid-19 pandemic and that the BMC was aware of their contribution.
"I am personally following up with the government and the municipal administration so that the demands of these workers do not remain only on paper but are actually resolved," Tawde said.
