India, June 22 -- Mid-day meal workers across Himachal Pradesh went on a statewide strike, demanding higher wages, timely payment of honorariums, and improved social security benefits, according to officials and union representatives.

The protesting workers, who are engaged in preparing and serving meals in government schools under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, said they have long been working under low wages, delayed payments, and lack of job security. The strike affected meal services in several schools across the state as workers joined demonstrations in support of their demands.

Union leaders said the key demands include regularisation of services, minimum wage parity, pension benefits, insurance coverage, and implementation of court dir...