CITU demands reinstatement of daily-wage workers at law varsity

Employees of Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), under the banner of the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU), staged a strong protest against the university authorities for laying off 64 daily-wage workers. The protestors have demanded the immediate reinstatement of these workers.

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Hundreds of employees gathered in the streets and marched towards the university campus, raising slogans against the university authorities. They later congregated outside the main gate of the university, where they staged a sit-in for nearly two hours.

Vijender Mehra, State President of CITU, condemned the termination of the daily-wage workers, calling it a violation of orders from the Himachal Pradesh High Court, which had imposed a ban on new recruitments. Mehra expressed that it was shameful for the National Law University, an institution that teaches law, to blatantly disregard it.

“The illegal termination of workers under a ‘hire and fire’ policy is deeply regrettable. These workers, employed for several years in various roles such as cleaning staff, security personnel, hostel attendants, drivers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and technical staff, were never paid the minimum wages as prescribed by the central government,” said Mehra.

He further highlighted the exploitation these workers faced, mentioning that they worked 12-hour shifts without receiving double overtime pay and were also assigned extra tasks beyond their designated roles without any additional compensation. The workers were deprived of essential benefits such as EPF, ESI, medical facilities, and leave. Due to a shortage of employees, they were forced to take on additional duties without extra wages.

Mehra also pointed out that these workers were hired following the proper procedure, including interviews. The sudden termination, without reason or notice, is a violation of labour laws. “This ‘hire and fire’ policy is unlawful,” he added. CITU has warned the university authorities that the movement will be intensified if the workers are not immediately rehired.