New Delhi: While lamps of happiness were burning in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on the festival of lights, Diwali, there was darkness of despair in the homes of the workers who manage the university day and night. The agitation of cleaning, mess and security employees fighting for their rights and respect continued for the eighth consecutive day. The workers allege that the university administration and contractors are ignoring their legitimate demands.
Major demands of employees and fruitless talks
The All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) said that the major demands of the employees include payment of pending bonus, increase in workforce, right to earned leave (EL), casual leave (CL), maternity benefits and other basic labor rights. Talks were also held between the Labor Commission, JNU Labor Union and the university administration to resolve the matter. It is alleged that despite the instructions and assurances given during the talks, neither the university administration nor the contractor implemented them as expected.
Wait for bonus continues, fight for respect and rights
Employees say that the same hands who took responsibility for the cleanliness, food and security of the university did not get their rights on the festival. Diwali has passed, but the wait for the bonus is not over. The protesters have made it clear that their fight is not limited to bonuses, but for respectable working conditions and legal labor rights. Now all eyes are on the university administration to see for how long it will listen to the voice of the workers.