Ulhasnagar: More than 60 contractual sanitation workers employed in government hospitals in Ulhasnagar, Ambernath and Badlapur have not been paid their salaries for the past six to seven months.

The workers, hired by private contractor BSA, have been deployed at the Ulhasnagar Central Hospital, Chhaya Hospital, Ambernath, Rural Hospital, Badlapur and the Ulhasnagar Maternity Home.

Many of those affected include widows, single mothers and pregnant women. “I have not received my salary for months. I am finding it difficult to pay rent or feed my child,” said Mumtaz Sheikh, an employee at the Ulhasnagar Maternity Home.

“If anything happens to me due to this stress, the BSA and the hospital authorities will be responsible,” said Meena Jample, a mother of four.

“I have no money for medical treatment. I just want my dues,” said Sakina Mondal, who is pregnant.

The contract workers have threatened to go on an indefinite strike if their salaries are not paid. “Our appeals are being ignored. We will have no option but to stop work,” said union secretary Jagannath Ughale.

When contacted by Newsband, district civil surgeon Dr Kailash Pawar said BSA had been blacklisted. “We are withdrawing their tender and are preparing for legal action,” he said.