New Delhi, Nov. 9 -- The ongoing agitation by contract workers at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) entered its eighth consecutive day on Monday, with over 1,400 sanitation, mess, and security personnel protesting the non-payment of long-pending Diwali bonuses and severe staff shortages across campus.
Addressing a press conference organized by the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), union leaders accused the university administration and contractors of defying directives issued during conciliation proceedings led by the Regional Labour Commissioner (RLC).
"Despite statutory provisions under the OSH Code for bonuses, Earned Leave (EL), and Casual Leave (CL), the administration has failed to honor its commitments," said Surya Prakash, Executive Committee member of AICCTU's Delhi State Committee.
He noted that while several preliminary demands were discussed during RLC meetings on November 4 and 5, core issues specifically bonus disbursement and expanding the workforce remain unresolved.
Sanitation worker and activist Anju highlighted the harsh working conditions stemming from understaffing. "Only 25 workers are expected to manage waste collection across the entire university campus," she said, adding that heavy workloads have caused severe health complications among staff.
"When workers fall ill and take leave, their pay is deducted, and bonuses have been withheld for years."
Union representatives stated that a formal strike notice had been served a month in advance.
With workers forced to celebrate Diwali without their festive bonuses, AICCTU warned that the agitation will persist until the university administration fully implements statutory benefits and addresses staff shortages.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.