Chandigarh, Jan. 23 -- Around 3,500 contractual workers at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) continue to work in hazardous conditions without access to medical benefits. These contract workers are those working as hospital attendants, security guards, bearers and sanitation workers. Despite being stationed in high-risk areas such as washing plants, isolation wards, and operation theatres, where they are exposed to infectious diseases and gruelling shifts, these workers are denied the free medical treatment provided to regular staff.

The severity of the situation was highlighted less than a month ago following the death of 49-year-old security guard Harjasvinder Singh. After serving the institute for 2...