Outsourced staff to submit data on 35,000 workers, warn of fresh stir if govt fails to act

Dehradun: Outsourced and contractual employees protesting in Dehradun agreed to submit department-wise details of workers to Uttarakhand govt after officials assured them that action on their demands would follow within seven days of receiving the data. The employees, who have been demanding equal pay, regularisation and job security, warned that they would resume their sit-in on the eighth day if govt failed to act.The agreement followed a meeting with state health secretary Vinay Shankar Pandey late Wednesday, during which officials sought information on outsourced employees across departments, including their length of service. Sanyukt Morcha Outsource Karmachari Sangh president Manglesh Lakhera said the union, which estimated that around 35,000 outsourced employees worked in Uttarakhand, would compile the information category-wise.“Officials said collecting the data themselves could take three to four months. We sought 15 to 20 days and will try to submit it within 15 days,” Lakhera said.The employees have been seeking equal pay for equal work, regularisation, continuity of service and an end to the outsourcing system. Their demands also include protection against arbitrary termination, timely salaries, EPF and ESI benefits, and implementation of Supreme Court’s Oct 26, 2016, ruling on equal pay for equal work.Lakhera said the administration had given several assurances, including a proposed meeting with chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Officials also indicated that the outsourcing system could be revised to allow departments to engage workers directly instead of through intermediary contractors, while an order would be issued to prevent arbitrary termination.“The govt has assured us that action will follow within seven days. If that does not happen, we will resume our sit-in on the eighth day,” Lakhera said.The protest had earlier received support from Uttarakhand Kranti Dal, Swabhiman Morcha and Congress.Stay updated with the latest Dehradun news. Download the TOI App.