Punjab Court Orders PGIMER Workers to Resume Duties

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has mandated that striking hospital attendants, sanitation, and housekeeping workers at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh return to work immediately, citing the essential nature of hospital services. The court's directive follows a public interest litigation highlighting significant disruptions in patient care due to the strike, which began on October 10. The court has authorized the Chandigarh Administration and PGIMER to employ coercive measures under the East Punjab Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1947, if the employees refuse to comply. Chief Justice Sheel Nagu emphasized that unresolved service disputes do not justify abandoning responsibilities in a critical healthcare institution. The bench underscored the severe impact of the strike on hygiene and administration at PGIMER, a leading medical facility in India. The court's decision reflects a commitment to maintaining essential health services amid labor disputes.