ICMLS Advocacy for Setting Guidelines in Government and Private Health Sectors to Grant Minimum Starting Salary to Medical Laboratory Professionals working on contract jobs

The Indian Confederation of Medical Laboratory Science (ICMLS) has been a strong and persistent advocate for ensuring fair, equitable, and standardized minimum starting salaries for Medical Laboratory Professionals across India. Recognizing the pivotal role that these professionals play in accurate diagnosis, disease prevention, and patient care, ICMLS emphasizes that the dignity of work and the quality of healthcare are directly linked to the economic security and professional recognition of the workforce.

At present, there is no uniform salary structure or minimum wage guideline for Medical Laboratory Professionals across India. The disparity is stark — with government institutions following varied pay scales and private laboratories often offering very low remuneration, irrespective of qualification or skill level. ICMLS views this as a serious professional and ethical concern, affecting motivation, retention, and the overall quality of diagnostic services.

Key Focus Areas of ICMLS Advocacy

1. Establishment of National Minimum Salary Guidelines: ICMLS strongly advocates for the formulation of national guidelines to define minimum starting salaries for Medical Laboratory Professionals, aligned with their qualification, competency, and scope of practice.
   The Confederation has recommended that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) jointly issue standardized pay structure recommendations, applicable to both public and private healthcare sectors.
2. Qualification-Based Salary Classification: ICMLS proposes a tiered minimum salary structure corresponding to academic levels and roles, ensuring fairness and uniformity:

o   Diploma (DMLT) Holders – Medical Laboratory Technicians: ₹25,000 – ₹30,000 per month (entry level)

o   Bachelor’s Degree (B.Sc. MLT) – Medical Laboratory Technologists/Scientists: ₹40,000 – ₹50,000 per month

o   Master’s Degree (M.Sc. MLT) / Specialized Professionals: ₹55,000 – ₹70,000 per month

• Supervisory/Managerial Cadre (Ph.D./Senior Technologist): ₹80,000 and above, depending on responsibility and experience.
2. Uniformity Across Sectors: ICMLS advocates that salary guidelines should be uniformly applicable across central government, state government, autonomous institutions, and private hospitals. The Confederation has repeatedly highlighted the vast disparities where professionals in the same role are paid significantly less in private sector institutions compared to public hospitals- a practice that undermines both professional dignity and service quality.
3. Inclusion under Labour and Health Regulatory Frameworks: ICMLS has proposed that the Ministry of Labour and Employment include Medical Laboratory Professionals as a distinct category in the Minimum Wages Schedule, ensuring enforceable protection under the law.
   The organization also advocates that State Health Departments adopt these guidelines under state-specific service rules to maintain uniformity at all administrative levels.
4. Linkage with Accreditation and Licensing: ICMLS recommends that granting of institutional accreditation (e.g., NABL, NABH) and licensing approvals for laboratories should be contingent upon compliance with the minimum salary and staffing norms. This ensures that institutions maintain fair employment practices while delivering quality diagnostic care.
5. Private Sector Regulation: Given that the majority of laboratory services in India are delivered through the private sector, ICMLS urges the government to establish mandatory wage standards under the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act or the NCAHP regulatory framework. The Confederation also encourages State Councils to monitor salary compliance during periodic inspection and renewal processes.
6. Recognition of Medical Laboratory Work as Skilled Professional Service: ICMLS continues to advocate that Medical Laboratory Professionals must be classified as “skilled and highly skilled professionals”, not semi-skilled workers. Their remuneration must reflect the scientific, technical, and ethical responsibilities they carry in the healthcare system.