Daily wagers’ strike at IIT: Institute warns of action

Their demands include membership of Employees’ Provident Fund,deductions under Employees’ State Insurance scheme,leave with pay,issuance of Identity Cards,leave with pay for religious holidays,casual leave and compensation in case of accidents. At a media conference on Monday,IIT-K Director Sanjay Govind Dhande said: “They want benefits which are being given to the institute’s employees,which is not possible for us to accept.”

He said the IIT-K Karamchari Sangathan is not registered with the institute board,and none of the members is a regular employee. “These 62 daily wagers came as substitute workers in the mess,and in view of their performance they were permitted to continue work,” he added. Holding protests within the institute premises is not permitted,Dhande said. “On several occasions,we have warned the daily wagers. If they continue with the practice,we will have to take strong action.”

The president,IIT-K Karamchari Sagathan,B Prasad,said: “When the IIT-K authorities refused to accept our demands,we contacted the district officials and asked for their support.”