MP: Class IV workers protest in Bhopal for minimum wage
Temporary workers in Madhya Pradesh stage a hunger strike in Bhopal demanding regularisation and a minimum wage of Rs 12,500.
Temporary and outsourced Class IV employees across various government departments in Madhya Pradesh have launched a massive protest in the state capital. Gathering near the BJP office in Bhopal on Monday, these workers are demanding two critical changes: the immediate implementation of minimum wages and the formal regularisation of their services.
Two-day hunger strike begins
The protest, which commenced on September 28, is scheduled to continue through September 29. The group comprises a diverse range of essential workers, including:
- Cooks and peons
- Sanitation workers and watchmen
- Pump operators
- Part-time staff in schools, hostels, and ashrams
These individuals serve under the School Education and Tribal Affairs departments, performing vital roles that keep government institutions functioning daily.
Shocking wage disparities revealed
The protesters highlighted a grim reality regarding their livelihoods. Despite many employees having dedicated decades of service to the state, their monthly earnings remain abysmally low. Vasudev Sharma, the state president of the Temporary Outsourced Employees Front, alleged that some workers are receiving as little as Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 per month.
According to Sharma, these workers often endure long shifts, arriving around 10 am and departing as late as 8 pm. He pointed out a systemic issue where the government has allegedly avoided direct recruitment for Class IV positions for the last 20 to 25 years, opting instead to rely on temporary staff to fill these roles.
Allegations of unpaid wages and financial distress
The protest has also brought to light severe irregularities in payment schedules. The workers raised several distressing claims:
- Panchayat workers: Some employees engaged in panchayats reportedly go years without receiving their meager Rs 2,500 payments.
- School and Hostel staff: Cooks, peons, and sanitation workers in educational institutions and hostels are allegedly left unpaid for four to five months at a time.
"It is a big irony that the government has ended all the Class IV jobs and is getting the work done for free," Sharma remarked, noting the extreme financial hardship these families face.
The demand for Rs 12,500 minimum wage
The protesters are not backing down until their demands are met. The primary objective of the hunger strike is to force the government to honor its own minimum wage laws. The employees are demanding a fixed minimum wage of Rs 12,500.
The workers have made it clear that their demonstration in Bhopal will persist until there is an official announcement regarding the implementation of these wages and a clear path toward regularising their employment status.