Maharashtra Labour Department Orders Inquiry Into 16 Bombay Hospital Employee Complaints, Report Due By September 8

The Maharashtra Labour Department has ordered an investigation into 16 complaints filed by women and other staff members of Bombay Hospital. The inquiry is expected to be completed and a report submitted by September 8. This follows a meeting chaired by Labour Minister Ashish Jaiswal to discuss pending demands of the hospital employees, including wages, gratuity, provident fund, salary discrepancies, deductions, and other labor-related grievances.

The complaints include grievances related to gratuity, provident fund, salary disparities, deductions, and other employee benefits, which have not yet been addressed despite expectations.

Jaiswal emphasized the necessity of conducting a thorough and impartial inquiry, urging officials to individually verify each complaint and prepare a comprehensive report that establishes the facts clearly. He stressed that the inquiry should not be confined to merely reviewing documents but must also involve interactions with the employees, the hospital management, and the union representatives.

The inquiry must not be delayed and must prioritize workers' rights, Jaiswal stated, underscoring the institution's responsibility in providing women employees with a secure and dignified work environment.

Additionally, the Labour Minister directed officials to ensure that eligible employees receive the wage gap for the previous period as per the applicable rules and to inspect whether the employees are being paid wages in accordance with the Minimum Wages Act. Any employees receiving less than the minimum wages prescribed by the government are expected to have their cases verified, and appropriate legal action taken.

Jaiswal reiterated the Labour Department's commitment to actively resolving workers' grievances, emphasizing that workers' rights and interests must be given due importance, and complaints should be resolved within the stipulated time.