Urgent Action Needed: Unpaid Contractual Nurses in Meghalaya

Unpaid Salaries Cause Hardship

Contractual nurses in Meghalaya are facing financial difficulties due to the non-payment of their salaries for several months. Both the VPP (Victorian People's Party) and the HYC (Hynniewtrep Youth Council) have expressed concern over this issue, calling on the state government to address it promptly.

The VPP, in particular, has demanded that the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government disburse the outstanding salaries for November and December immediately. The non-release of these salaries has put the nurses and their families in great hardship, according to the VPP spokesperson, B Myrboh.

Basic Governance and Wasteful Expenditure

The VPP has emphasized the importance of committing to the basics of governance, suggesting that the government should prioritize the payment of salaries and avoid wasteful expenditure.

The HYC, on the other hand, has condemned the government's treatment of contractual staff nurses. They have not received salaries since October 2025, and the nurses are being forced to continue working without written extension of service.

Violation of Labour Norms and Basic Dignity

The HYC has accused the government of state-sponsored exploitation, as making nurses work without pay and formal service orders violates labour norms, service rules, and basic human dignity.

The council has demanded immediate disbursement of pending salaries, written extension orders for affected nurses, and strict action against responsible officials.

Implications for Healthcare and Human Rights

The unpaid salaries and lack of job security for contractual nurses could have significant implications for the quality of healthcare services in Meghalaya. Moreover, it raises concerns about the protection of the rights of healthcare workers, who should not be treated as bonded labor.

Similar issues have been reported in other parts of India, highlighting the need for more consistent and fair treatment of contractual workers across the country.

Reflections and Forward-Looking Steps

It is crucial for the Meghalaya state government to address this issue promptly and ensure that contractual nurses are paid their salaries on time. This will not only alleviate the financial hardship faced by these nurses and their families but also uphold the basic principles of human dignity and labor rights.

Moreover, the government should consider regularizing the employment of contractual nurses to provide them with more job security and better working conditions. This would not only benefit the nurses but also improve the quality of healthcare services in Meghalaya.