The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)-affiliated Erode District Medical Department Employees’ Union has urged the State government to ensure full implementation of contract conditions and statutory benefits for outsourced workers engaged in nine government hospitals in the district.In a representation submitted to Health and Labour Department officials, AITUC district president and Tamil Nadu State secretary S. Chinnasamy said Crystal Integrated Services Limited had been awarded the contract for housekeeping, security and allied services in government hospitals functioning under the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services (ESI), and the Commissionerate of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy in the western and northern zones of Tamil Nadu.The union said the company had been carrying out work since April 12, 2026, in nine hospitals in Erode district, including the Erode Government Headquarters Hospital, Government Hospitals at Gobichettipalayam, Sathyamangalam, Bhavani, Anthiyur, Perundurai, Kodumudi and Kavundapadi, besides the Bhavanisagar Dispensary and Hospital.According to the representation, the company had not appointed the full strength of workers prescribed under the contract. At the Erode Government Headquarters Hospital alone, 251 workers, including housekeeping staff, security personnel, electricians, dhobis, assistant cooks and supervisors, were to be appointed, but only around 175 workers had reportedly been engaged.The union further alleged that over 35 workers appointed under other schemes and engaged in unrelated duties were being shown in attendance records as contract employees of the company. It urged the authorities to discontinue the practice immediately.The representation stated that wages for April 2026 had not been paid till May 20, causing hardship to workers. It also alleged that uniforms supplied to women workers were of poor quality. The union demanded immediate payment of pending wages, implementation of EPF, ESI, bonus and other statutory benefits, issue of wage slips, time and identity cards, provision of weekly holidays with wages, separate restrooms for men and women workers, and subsidised canteen facilities. Copies of the representation were sent to senior officials of the Departments and the contracting company, the union said. Published - May 27, 2026 05:44 pm IST