Vocational teachers continue hunger strike, 10 hospitalised
Tribune News Service
Panchkula, August 16
Having resorted to an indefinite hunger strike five days ago, as many as 10 vocational teachers have taken ill and were admitted to Government Civil Hospital in Sector 6. The teachers are steadfast on their demands of regularisation of jobs and increment in salaries.
We started the hunger strike after holding numerous meetings with representatives of the state government. We have been on protest since July 24. By now, 10 teachers have been admitted to the hospital but we have decided to continue the strike. Anoop Dhillon, Union president
While the whole state rejoiced on the 78th Independence Day, the protesting teachers continued their strike. On Wednesday, three were admitted to government hospital after they complained of health issues. Four more teachers were admitted on Thursday.
Anoop Dhillon, union president, on Friday said that they will continue their protest till the time their demands were not met. “We started the hunger strike after holding numerous meetings with representatives of the state government. We had already been sitting on protest since July 24. By now, 10 teachers have been hospitalised but we have decided to continue the strike.”
The vocational teachers teach 18 skill subjects, including tourism, IT, security, physical education, media, fashion, electrician and others to students of classes IX to XII and are paid nearly Rs 33,000 per month.
According to union leaders, the state hired vocational teachers as per the same criteria as was applicable for 157 government teachers who enrolled under the Education Department and are paid nearly Rs 57,000 per month. But the government hired 2,013 vocational teachers on contractual basis under various companies. The contracts of these companies came to an end, but they have not been enrolled under the Education Department.
