Protest against outsourcing of employees and payment issues in Vadodara

Corona vaccine arrived in Vadodara and was distributed with grand reception by the BJP at the Vaccine Institute. A symbolic protest was started by Corona Warrior employees at the same place with a demand to stop the exploitation of employees and to recruit fourth class employees.

The outsourcing employees under the auspices of Gujarat Jan Jagruti Manch started protest inside the compound of Vaccine Institute on Old Padra Road. A large number of employees joined the symbolic protest program with banners, posters. They shouted slogans like ‘No vaccine but payment’, ‘abolish exploitative policy of outsourcing’, ‘give equal rights’ and others. Employees sitting on protest strictly followed the Corona guidelines like wearing masks and maintaining a six feet distance.

Manch leader Rajinikanth Bhartiya said that recruitment in government offices is done through outsourcing. But they are exploited by the contractors. The Gujarat government pays the contractor Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 per employee, but they pay only Rs 8 to 10 thousand and exploit them. Employees are being threatened of dismissal by contractors if they raise their voices. Outsourcing employees have not been paid for the last 3 months. Despite repeated representations, and strikes, questions, including the salaries of employees, have not been resolved.

He further said that the policy of outsourcing should be abolished as the employees are being exploited in outsourcing and the government should directly involve in recruitment of class-4. Contractors have been instructed to open employees’ escrow accounts as per the Commissioner’s order.

However, accounts are not opened by contractors. Employees who have not been paid for the last three months have been in trouble. They threaten to agitate further if the issues including salary are not resolved.