PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Workers of the Uttarakhand Purva Sainik Kalyan Nigam Limited (UPNL) continued their protest on the second day at Parade Ground here on Tuesday, expressing their frustration over unresolved long-standing demands. They have warned that failure to address their concerns promptly will lead to an escalation of their protests. The workers have been advocating for the regularisation of their employment and equal pay for equal work for an extended period. However, the State government has not yet acted on these issues, raising significant concerns among the workers. In response, UPNL workers from across the State have gathered at the Parade Ground to voice their grievances.
Talking to The Pioneer, the officiating president of the UPNL federation of employees Mahesh Bhatt said that workers throughout the State employed through UPNL began protesting at Parade Ground on Monday. He said that the demonstration continued on Tuesday. Bhatt said that the employees have long been advocating for the regularisation of their services along with equal pay for equal work. He also pointed out that in 2018, the court issued a directive emphasising the principle of “equal pay for equal work”.
The chief minister had earlier assured UPNL workers that their demands would be addressed. However, Bhatt said that no action has been taken on this matter thus far. He said that on Tuesday, approximately 2,500 to 3,000 UPNL workers participated in a protest, urging the authorities to meet their demands. He emphasised that the government should promptly act on their requests, recognising that the workers’ ongoing boycott has resulted in a lack of productivity in their respective departments. Bhatt stated that the protest will persist until the authorities issue an order to meet their demands. He warned that if the government fails to address their concerns in a timely manner, the workers would escalate their agitation.
