Lucknow, July 29 -- The outsourced power employees staged a strike at Shakti Bhawan here on Tuesday while accusing the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) management of refusing to reinstate thousands of outsourced workers despite repeated representations apart from raising other demands. The protest, led by the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Tender/Contract Employees' Union, centres on allegations that the corporation failed to implement its own orders, ignored labour welfare measures and violated court directions, stated Dhirendra Nath Pandey, union general secretary in a press release. Hundreds of outsourced employees gathered outside UPPCL headquarters from 10am, accusing the management of jeopardising the livelihoods of nearly 25,000 outsourced workers by removing them from service and refusing to reinstate them despite repeated representations. Later in the day, a meeting between senior union leaders and the managing director of UPPCL was held in an attempt to resolve the issue. However, the talks ended without any breakthrough, following which the union announced that the agitation would continue until its demands are addressed, said Pandey. Among the major issues raised by the protesting employees are the absence of cashless medical treatment for workers injured on duty, non-reimbursement of treatment expenses, failure to reinstate employees removed in March, 2023, and the non-submission of a standards committee report even after 14 months. The union further alleged that power utilities have failed to curb workplace accidents despite repeated incidents involving outsourced staff, stated Pandey. The protesters also accused the management of ignoring labour laws by denying statutory leave, violating High Court directions, and refusing to reinstate workers removed after attaining the age of 55 years. They demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) scam and strict action against contractors found responsible for irregularities. Another key demand relates to meter readers, who, according to the union, are being denied benefits such as EPF, Employees' State Insurance (ESI), and wages comparable to other outsourced workers. The union also sought immediate clearance of pending salaries and opposed any move to shift outsourced employees to the newly proposed Outsourced Service Corporation....