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Health Minister Ma. Subramanian, who called this a “pleasant surprise” for the workers, said ₹1,500 was provided through the National Health Mission, and the State government had sanctioned an additional ₹5,876, thereby issuing orders to provide a total monthly pay of ₹7,376.
Under the RCH scheme of the National Rural Health Mission, sanitation workers were appointed through the patient welfare committees to maintain the cleanliness of labour rooms in the Primary Health Centres (PHC) during childbirth, to assist nurses, and for the upkeep of the PHCs. They were appointed in 2002 on a monthly salary of ₹500. The amount was increased to ₹1,000 after they completed four years of service. Those who served for more than seven years were paid ₹1,500 per month, he told reporters shortly after handing over the orders to the workers.
After the incumbent government assumed office, 938 RCH sanitation workers who served during the COVID-19 pandemic were selected and appointed to the vacant posts of temporary Multi-Purpose Hospital Workers in PHCs through the District Health Societies. They receive a salary of approximately ₹27,000 per month.
The Minister said orders granting an increase in pay were issued for the remaining 1,575 workers on Monday. He noted during the Assembly session held last year, an AIADMK legislator raised a demand to increase the salary of these workers who were receiving ₹1,500 per month. It was explained that it was during the AIADMK tenure that their salaries stood at ₹500, ₹1,000 and ₹1,500.
Mr. Subramanian said the government had announced that when vacancies arose, priority would be given to those who served during the pandemic, based on their educational qualification. When vacancies arise across the 38 revenue districts, priority will be given to those who served during COVID-19 and those with over 20 years of service, and appointments will be made through the District Health Societies, the Minister said. Health Secretary P. Senthilkumar was present.
In a statement issued last week, A.R. Shanthi, general secretary, Tamil Nadu Government Primary Health Centre RCH Sanitation Workers Welfare Association, thanked the government for increasing their pay. More than 3,140 sanitation workers have been working on a temporary basis under the RCH scheme since 2005. They were paid only ₹1,500 as consolidated monthly wages for the past 10 years, and have been continuously fighting for wage revision and job security.
Published – January 20, 2026 12:39 am IST
