29 October,2026 08:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
A delegation of the protesting employees met Mayor Ritu Tawde at the BMC headquarters on Thursday and submitted a letter formally announcing the withdrawal of the agitation. PIC/BMC
Outsourced health workers employed under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) through contractor DS Enterprises called off their protest on Thursday evening following an intervention by Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde.
The workers had been protesting at Azad Maidan since August 31, 2026, over several pending demands. A delegation of the protesting employees met Tawde at the Mayor's office at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters on Thursday and submitted a letter formally announcing the withdrawal of the agitation.
The development follows Tawde's visit to the protest site, where she interacted with the workers and heard their grievances. She subsequently directed the civic administration to take positive steps towards addressing their demands.
Among the measures taken by the administration, 180 days of paid maternity leave has been approved for outsourced women employees, keeping in mind their maternal responsibilities and financial security. The decision had been announced earlier.
A proposal regarding revised minimum wages for the outsourced workers has been submitted to the Chief Labour Officer and the Finance Department for consideration. The BMC has also taken punitive action against the contractor over complaints of salary delays.
To ensure the permanent resolution of such issues, a special grievance redressal committee will be established. The administration has confirmed that salaries have been paid to the workers up to September 2026.
The workers had also sought the absorption of experienced health personnel who provided services to Mumbai residents during the Covid-19 pandemic into government service under a one-time policy, as well as a Diwali ex-gratia payment or bonus. The BMC has written to the Maharashtra government on these demands, clarifying that they involve policy decisions at the state government level.
The delegation expressed satisfaction over Tawde's intervention and the steps taken by the civic administration. The representatives thanked the Mayor and BMC officials and formally confirmed the withdrawal of their protest.
The delegation included Swarajya Sanghatana Youth President Santosh Kadam, Secretary Rahul Patil, as well as Girish Surve, Paresh Metkar, Deepak Chavan, Pravin Chavan, Pankaj Dhadwe, Harshada Dumbre, Pratiksha Bhagwat, Reshma Kochale and Suman Shigwan.
