Bengaluru: Outpatient services at Jayanagar Hospital were briefly disrupted Monday morning after 14 data entry operators staged a protest over unpaid salaries. The operators, who alerted the administration about their planned protest three days in advance, gathered at the hospital demanding action. The hospital managed patient registration by deploying the finance department staff.“We have not been paid for four months now,” the protesters said.An operator with eight years of service, said delayed payments were a recurring issue. “We usually get our salaries for a few months, and then the backlog starts.” Amar, an operator, highlighted the financial strain caused by the delay. “I am a newlywed and borrowed money to manage the month’s expenses. We had informed the administration on Friday about the protest. In response, the finance department personnel, who lack domain knowledge, were made to fill in for us. The administration assured us the issue would be resolved on Monday itself and a cheque was issued to the agency we work with,” he added.Another operator pointed out the absence of job security. “We’re permanent employees and there seems to be no chance of regularising either, which leaves us with a lot of uncertainty. We resumed work by noon only because we were concerned about the patients and did not want to disrupt health service,” she added.The hospital superintendent termed the disruption a result of miscommunication and confirmed the issue was resolved. “The delay was for three months. Cheques were disbursed to the agency but the recipient was unwell and there was a delay thereon. However, we spoke with the agency and salaries should be credited by Friday. The confusion is resolved,” hospital superintendent Dr Surrendra said.Work resumed by 11.30am, and OPD services were back to normal by noon. Bengaluru: Outpatient services at Jayanagar Hospital were briefly disrupted Monday morning after 14 data entry operators staged a protest over unpaid salaries. The operators, who alerted the administration about their planned protest three days in advance, gathered at the hospital demanding action. The hospital managed patient registration by deploying the finance department staff.“We have not been paid for four months now,” the protesters said.An operator with eight years of service, said delayed payments were a recurring issue. “We usually get our salaries for a few months, and then the backlog starts.” Amar, an operator, highlighted the financial strain caused by the delay. “I am a newlywed and borrowed money to manage the month’s expenses. We had informed the administration on Friday about the protest. In response, the finance department personnel, who lack domain knowledge, were made to fill in for us. The administration assured us the issue would be resolved on Monday itself and a cheque was issued to the agency we work with,” he added.Another operator pointed out the absence of job security. “We’re permanent employees and there seems to be no chance of regularising either, which leaves us with a lot of uncertainty. We resumed work by noon only because we were concerned about the patients and did not want to disrupt health service,” she added.The hospital superintendent termed the disruption a result of miscommunication and confirmed the issue was resolved. “The delay was for three months. Cheques were disbursed to the agency but the recipient was unwell and there was a delay thereon. However, we spoke with the agency and salaries should be credited by Friday. The confusion is resolved,” hospital superintendent Dr Surrendra said.Work resumed by 11.30am, and OPD services were back to normal by noon.