Dimapur, August 19 (MExN): The Combined Contractual & Unemployed Laboratory Technicians of Nagaland (CCULTN) has opposed the change in pay level for laboratory technicians from the existing pay matrix of level 7 and 8 to level 5.
In a press release on August 19, the group pointed out that the Health and Family Welfare Department had advertised 18 vacant ‘Lab Technician’ posts earlier in July, and downgraded the pay scale from Level 7 (Pay Matrix: 26400-83600) for diploma qualification holders and Level 8 (Pay Matrix: 28700-91300) for graduate and above qualification holders to Level 5 (Pay Matrix: 20500-65100) for both categories.
As such, the CCULTN questioned the department as to why the “sudden change” was made in pay scale while adding that it felt “left out and unrecognized” despite putting their lives at risk while collecting samples and performing every procedural testing during the pandemic.
Reminding the department of the crucial role played by laboratory technicians towards a successful health care system, the CCULTN demanded immediate redressal before the interview process proceeds.
