Mid-day meal workers across several blocks in Himachal Pradesh staged protests on Friday, advocating for significant improvements in their service conditions, including the demand for payment of 12 months’ salary annually instead of the current practice of distributing 10 months’ wages over a year. The demonstrations, organised by the Mid-Day Meal Workers Union affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), also called for the resolution of other long-standing grievances.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the state committee of the union had called for these demonstrations. Workers across various districts participated in the protests, submitting memorandums detailing their demands to the Director of Education. In Shimla, a notable protest took place outside the Directorate of Education, drawing participation from prominent union leaders including CITU state president Vijender Mehra, state treasurer Jagat Ram, district treasurer Bal Ram, district secretary Vivek Kashyap, and union state general secretary Shanti Devi, along with numerous other workers.
A delegation from the union later proceeded to the Directorate to arrange a meeting with the Director of Education. However, the director’s absence led the union to schedule a follow-up meeting for the coming days to formally discuss the collective demands of the mid-day meal workers.
Union leaders, addressing the gathered protesters, articulated their dissatisfaction with the current system of distributing 10 months’ wages over a 12-month period. They argued that this practice effectively reduces the monthly income received by each worker, characterizing it as a grave injustice.
A key demand revolves around the implementation of judicial directives from the Himachal Pradesh High Court. The union stated that both single and double benches of the High Court have previously ruled in favour of providing mid-day meal workers with 12 months’ salary, a decision they are urging the state government to enforce.
Further demands put forth by the union include the consolidation of full wages for the workers, ensuring their continued employment under the school cluster scheme, and the timely disbursement of salaries each month. The union also advocated for regular medical check-ups for the workers and a proactive approach to resolving their service-related issues.
According to union leaders, approximately 21,000 mid-day meal workers are currently employed in government schools throughout Himachal Pradesh, responsible for preparing meals for students. The workers alleged that they do not receive any holidays throughout the year and often face delays of up to three months in receiving their wages.
Concerns were also raised regarding the requirement for schools to have a minimum of 25 students for a mid-day meal worker to be employed. This condition, the union reported, frequently leads to workers being removed from their positions when student enrollment drops below the stipulated number.
The union further alleged that mid-day meal workers are assigned the task of preparing food for polling personnel during elections without receiving any additional compensation for this work.
Another critical aspect highlighted by the union is the absence of gratuity or pension benefits for workers upon their retirement. While medical check-ups are reportedly conducted three times annually, the union claimed that the Education Department does not reimburse the expenses incurred by workers for these tests and associated travel.
To address these issues, the union presented a comprehensive charter of demands. This includes the payment of 12 months’ salary, aligning with the High Court’s rulings, and a monthly honorarium of Rs 7,000, similar to the provision in Haryana. Additionally, they are seeking 20 days of annual leave, on the lines of benefits provided to Anganwadi workers.
The charter also calls for the removal of the 25-student employment prerequisite, the provision of gratuity and pension benefits post-retirement, and full reimbursement of all medical examination expenses by the Education Department.
The workers are also pushing for the extension of the mid-day meal scheme to students up to Class 12. They reiterated the demand for the entire monthly salary to be disbursed in a single installment by the first day of each month and for additional remuneration for preparing meals for election polling parties.
The union concluded by calling for the formulation of a policy aimed at regularizing the services of mid-day meal workers in the state.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
