RML Hospital’s contractual workers struggle due to unpaid dues

Delhi: Nearly 30 contractual employees at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital in Delhi have been left without salaries for months, pushing them into severe financial distress. These workers, deployed in the hospital’s kitchen, laboratories and other departments, earn between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 a month. With no pay, they are struggling to meet basic expenses, including food, rent, and school fees for their children.

Hospital sources told Patriot that the matter is currently in court, and salary disbursements require approval from the Ministry of Health. While two months’ salaries were released on March 5, 2025, the remaining dues are expected to be cleared in the coming weeks

‘We are drowning in debt’

Ashok Kumar Soni, president of the New Delhi Contractual Employees, RML Hospital, described the desperation faced by the workers.

“It’s been five months since we received our salaries, and the situation is worsening every day. We earn between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 a month — which is already inadequate for our expenses — but now, without any payment at all, we are drowning in debt. Every day is a struggle to afford food, rent, and utility bills. Groceries have become a luxury, and we have had to cut down on meals just to survive.”

“I have borrowed money from friends and neighbours, but how long can this go on? People have their own problems; they can’t keep lending us money indefinitely,” he said. His children’s school fees are overdue, and reminders from the school have started coming in. If the delay continues, he fears he may have to withdraw them from school.

“I have had to borrow money just to cover the expense of basic needs. The irony is painful. Some of us have even started selling household items to make ends meet. This is not just about money anymore; it’s about survival and dignity. We feel abandoned and ignored. The mental stress is taking a toll on all of us — how can we continue to care for patients when our own lives are in chaos?” he questioned.

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‘The administration refuses to meet us’

Ravi, another hospital employee, expressed frustration over the administration’s lack of response. He said officials refused to meet them and instead shifted the blame to the Ministry of Health, citing delays due to the lack of IFDA (Internal Financial Division Approval).

“Whenever we request a meeting with higher officials, they don’t give us the time to hear our problems,” he stated.

He pointed out that the hospital expected them to work every day but failed to fulfil its basic obligation of paying salaries. Whenever they raised the issue with the hospital administration, he said, they were told that the delay was due to the lack of IFDA. However, he questioned why this should be their problem, arguing that while they were expected to report to work daily and perform their duties diligently, the hospital was failing in its responsibility to pay them.

“The hospital runs on our work— cooking, lab procedures, dietary consultations—but when it comes to payment, we are treated as an afterthought,” he said. “If our work is essential, why isn’t our pay treated the same way?”

He mentioned that despite approaching the administration multiple times, they had only received vague answers and empty assurances that the issue would be resolved soon. However, he added, nothing had changed, and five months without pay was nearly half a year. He argued that if there were financial or approval issues, they should have been addressed months ago instead of forcing the workers to bear the consequences of mismanagement.

“We feel like we are being used and discarded,” he remarked. He questioned why senior officials and doctors were receiving their salaries on time while they were being left out, calling it an act of discrimination.

He asserted that while their work might not be glamorous, it was essential for the hospital’s functioning. Without clean food, lab testing, or patient monitoring, the hospital could not operate, yet they were treated as if they didn’t matter. If the administration valued their work enough to keep them employed, he insisted, then they should also value them enough to pay them on time.

‘Living in uncertainty is exhausting’

Another hospital employee, who works in the canteen and requested anonymity, described the emotional toll of the crisis.

He said many workers are struggling with anxiety and depression, constantly worried about whether they will have enough money to buy food for their families the next day.

“The mental stress is unbearable. Every day, we report to work, try to put on a brave face, and give our best to the patients — but inside, we are breaking down. How can we focus on our work when we are constantly worried about whether we’ll have enough money to buy food for our families tomorrow?”

“Many of us are suffering from anxiety and depression because of this situation. Sleepless nights have become normal — worrying about rent, school fees, and daily expenses. It’s affecting our health and morale. We work in a hospital, yet we can’t even afford proper healthcare for ourselves and our families.”

“Some of us have stopped talking about the issue because we feel it’s pointless. No one seems to care about us. But we can’t remain silent forever,” he said.

He added that workers need answers and, more importantly, action. Their work, he emphasised, is not a favour but a job that deserves fair compensation. “The emotional toll is affecting our work too — we are human, not machines. The administration expects us to work with dedication, but how can we give our best when we are constantly under financial and emotional pressure?” he asked.

“The worst part is the uncertainty. If the administration at least gave us a clear timeline or some assurance, we might be able to find a way to cope,” he said.

He added that workers are left in the dark, unsure whether they will be paid next week, next month, or at all. With bills piling up and loans increasing, they have no idea when the crisis will end.

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Hospital’s response

A senior official at RML Hospital, Delhi, acknowledged the issue but maintained that the salary files must be approved by the ministry, as the case is under court jurisdiction.

“The institute has released two months’ salaries as of March 5, 2024, and the remaining amount will be paid within a week or two,” the source stated.