Computer operators of Hubballi-DharwadOne centres working on contractual basis launched an indefinite strike here on Monday urging the authorities concerned to fulfil some of their long-pending demands.
The computer operators, who launched their dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here, have, in a release, said that the Bengaluru-based agency, which had bagged the contract to run the Hubballi-Dharwad utility services centres, has deprived the staff of minimum salary and other statutory benefits.
According to the Minimum Wages Act, the contract workers should be paid a minimum of Rs. 8,996 per month. However, the agency had paid monthly salary of Rs. 2,414 from 2008 to 2015. From January 2016, the agency started paying Rs. 4,500.
The agency has not provided statutory facilities such as provident fund, ESI and others from 2008 to 2015, the computer operators alleged.
The workers said that they were compelled to launch the indefinite strike as several appeals to the government had failed to yield results. Even complaints submitted to the Department of Labour proved to be of no use.
Earlier, at a meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, it was decided that the wrongs done by the agency would be set right and justice would be done. But so far no corrective measures have been initiated, the computer operators alleged.
