JNU sanitation workers protest over salary dues

Over 50 sanitation workers, on contractual basis in Jawaharlal Nehru University, are negotiating with their new contractor over delay in disbursing their salaries.

The workers have been protesting for the last five days over pending salaries.

“A new contractor got the tender last month. The contractor was supposed to create new bank accounts for the recently joined workers which he did not. The workers who had bank accounts received just half of their salaries,” said Sunil a protesting worker.

“Although, the contractor has given us cheques, but if we don’t have a bank account, how are we supposed to encash them,” added Sunil. The workers also hinted at the pending arrears which amounts to Rs 50,000.

“There are many workers who haven’t got their two to three years of provident fund,” said another worker.

Back in 2007-2008, JNU Students’ Union decided to set up a committee consisting of students and non-teaching staff to keep a check if the contractual workers are being given minimum wages.

 “Due to a six-month tenure of the last JNUSU, we couldn’t do much, apart from putting up the issue in front of the administration,” said an ex-JNUSU member.