Physiotherapists who work on contract basis seek revision of salary

Government contractual physiotherapists, who currently draw a monthly pay of ₹13,000, are demanding a minimum monthly salary of ₹35,000.

“There are 585 contractual physiotherapists working in government headquarters hospitals, government medical college hospitals, urban and rural primary health centres across the State. We have been working for five to 10 years and started on a pay of ₹10,000, which was increased to ₹13,000 in 2021. We have been asking for a review of our salary on the basis of our educational qualification for the last four years,” M. Karunanithi, president of Tamil Nadu NHM (National Health Mission) Physiotherapists Association, said.

On Thursday, the contractual physiotherapists will observe a hunger strike in the city to draw the attention of the government to their demands.

Apart from immediate revision of their salary, they have also demanded conversion of urban physiotherapists from hiring basis to contract basis, to make permanent physiotherapists who have completed five years of service, and equal pay for equal work. 

The association also demanded implementation of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act 2021.