Members of Akhila Bharata Karmika Sangha on Tuesday protested against lack of facilities at the local Employee State Insurance office and dispensary in Baikampady Industrial Estate.
The members said the ESI dispensary did not have sufficient number of doctors to look at the problems of the employees working in the industrial estate.
They said only one doctor was available for around 2,000 employees availing the ESI facility in Baikampady.
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“The service of doctor is available only till noon,” said Raju Kulal, the district secretary of the Sangh.
No drinking water
The members said ESI dispensary did not have sufficient furniture to make patients sit. It did not have proper drinking water facility. The members said the dispensary had run short of essential medicines.
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The staff at the ESI office delay in the payment of wages for the days when the workman had undergone treatment. Possession of Pehchan (identity) card of the ESI Corporation had not alleviated problems of workmen in getting facilities faster.
Superintendent of ESI Hospital Gopalakrishna assured protesters of improving the conditions at the dispensary. He said an open interview was being held on October 10 for selecting doctors needed for Mangalore, including four for the dispensary.
Dr. Gopalakrishna said the dispensary would get 15 per cent addition to the quantity of medicines that had been required. Arrangements would be made for drinking water and chairs, he said.
Deputy Social Security Officer Krishnamurthy Samaga said the workmen would be getting an advantage of Pehchan cards from November 1. He said payment of wages for the workmen had been delayed only on the days when the amount to be paid had crossed Rs. 22,000.
The manager of the ESI local office could only pay Rs. 22,000 a day.