Contractual workers lock authority offices in Noida

Contractual workers have been protesting in Noida for better wages and permanent jobs

Around 1,000 contractual workers, including peons, supervisors, sweepers and security guards, on Monday locked the gates of the Noida authority’s offices in sectors 5, 19 and 39 in protest, demanding permanent jobs and better wages. The gates were eventually opened only in the evening.

Workers demanding permanent jobs and better wages locked the gates of Noida authority’s offices in sectors 5, 19 and 39. However, the main office in Sector 6 was not affected. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT Photo)

They also threatened to go on an indefinite strike if the Noida authority failed to address their issues in 15 days.

The authority has its main administrative office in Sector 6. Its water and sewage department is in Sector 5, horticulture department in Sector 39 and engineering department in Sector 19. Due to the protest and the lockdown, many visitors to these offices had to return on Monday without getting their work done.

“We locked the gates of three offices except Sector 6 today (on Monday), warning top officials and the UP government to address our demands or face a series of protests,” said Santosh Kumar, a contractual employee.

The workers started locking the gates at 9.15am. Staff members who had reached office by 9am were locked inside and those who were going to reach after 9.15am could not enter.

Yadav, chief engineer of the water, sewer and civil departments, also could not enter the Sector 5 office.

There are around 4,200 contractual employees working with the Noida authority. They are hired by private contractors, who pay them between Rs8,000 and Rs18,500 a month and charge 2.5% of the salary as commission. These 4,200 workers are divided into different groups and have been protesting for permanent jobs and an increase in salary.

Saumya Srivastava, deputy chief executive officer (CEO), Noida authority, said, “I have called the workers for a meeting to discuss their issues. They have a three-point demand: salary on the 10th of every month instead of the 25th, permanent jobs and provident funds. We have sent their demand for permanent jobs to the state government for approval. We will try to pacify them and end the protest.

“They have staged a symbolic protest today from 10am to 5pm. I hope they end it after talks,” he added.