Shimla, June 22
Mid-Day Meal workers across Himachal Pradesh observed a statewide strike on Monday and staged a protest rally from Tolland to the Secretariat, demanding higher wages, year-round salary payments, gratuity and pension benefits. The demonstration was organized by the CITU-affiliated Mid-Day Meal Workers Union, which accused both the Centre and the state government of neglecting the workforce and ignoring long-pending demands.
Union leaders alleged that Mid-Day Meal workers have not received any meaningful wage revision from the central government for the past 17 years. They also claimed that workers continue to face delays in salary payments, often waiting for months to receive their dues.
According to the union, workers do not receive paid leave throughout the year and are frequently paid incomplete salaries. They further alleged that employees lose their jobs when the student strength falls below the prescribed limit of 25 children per school.
The protesting workers also highlighted the absence of gratuity and pension benefits after retirement and said they are required to bear the cost of mandatory medical check-ups conducted several times a year.
The union demanded implementation of the High Court directive regarding payment of 12 months’ salary, a monthly honorarium of Rs 7,000 on the lines of Haryana, leave benefits similar to Anganwadi workers, removal of the 25-student eligibility condition, gratuity and pension facilities, departmental coverage of medical expenses and a policy for regularisation of Mid-Day Meal workers.
Union representatives warned that the agitation could intensify if the government does not address their demands in the coming weeks.
