Employees launch indefinite strike demanding regularisation

Around 45,000 government contractual workers in India have initiated an indefinite strike to push for regularisation, according to a report by the Times of India. Kaushlesh Tiwari, the president of Chhattisgarh Sarva Vibhagiya Samvida Karamchari Mahasangh (CSVSKM), an umbrella organization representing contractual employees, emphasized that the Congress party’s 2018 election manifesto clearly stated that if they formed the government in Chhattisgarh, contractual employees would be regularized. With only four months remaining until the next assembly elections, their concerns have been largely overlooked, compelling them to resort to strike action.

The employees will observe the strike at their respective district headquarters from July 3 to 9. If their demands are not met during this period, contractual employees from all 33 districts will convene in the city of Naya Raipur on July 10 to continue their indefinite strike. These 45,000 employees are engaged in various government departments, including health, agriculture, education, and women and child development. Regularization for contractual employees entails several benefits, such as job security until the age of 62, seniority-related perks like salary, gratuity, promotions, social security, and pension support for old age. On July 8 and 9, the employees will hold a meeting to determine their future course of action.