DT
PT
Subscribe To Print Edition About The Tribune Code Of Ethics Download App Advertise with us Classifieds
Add Tribune As Your Trusted Source
search-icon-img
search-icon-img
Advertisement

Sanitation workers stage hunger strike against contract system

Activist Nitish Bhim has accused Punjab Govt of ignoring the plight of Dalit, labour-class workers

  • fb
  • twitter
  • whatsapp
  • whatsapp
featured-img featured-img
Workers during a protest outside the Amritsar Improvement Trust office in Amritsar on Friday.
Advertisement

Sanitation workers have launched an indefinite hunger strike outside the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) office at Ranjit Avenue here to protest against the contract system and alleged bonded labour practices. The workers, many of whom have served the Trust for several years, claim that despite their long tenure, they have not been made permanent employees. They currently earn only Rs 300 per day, which they say is insufficient to support their families. The hunger strike is being conducted in a relay format, with two workers fasting each day.

Advertisement

The protesters are demanding the abolition of the contract system and the regularisation of their jobs. They also allege that the DC rate — the minimum daily wage fixed by the district administration — has not been revised for years, leaving them in exploitative working conditions under outsourcing arrangements.

Advertisement

As of now, no senior official from the AIT or district administration has visited the protest site, though police personnel have been deployed to maintain order. On Thursday, the administration reportedly assured the protesting workers that a delegation of the protesters would be given an opportunity to meet with the Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar.

Advertisement

Addressing the protesters, Nitish Bhim of the Bhim Action Committee accused the Punjab Government of maintaining a negative attitude toward labourers and Dalit workers. He stated that the peaceful protest would continue until all demands are met.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
tlbr_img1 Classifieds tlbr_img2 Videos tlbr_img3 Premium tlbr_img4 E-Paper tlbr_img5 Shorts