Protest by non-teaching staff

Demonstrators belonged to DU, JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia

Seeking justice: The protesters outside the UGC office on Thursday demanding immediate implementation of the 7th Pay Commission.

Hundreds of members of the Delhi University and College Karamchari Union (DUCKU), and union members from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Jamia Millia Islamia gathered outside the University Grants Commission (UGC) office on Thursday demanding immediate implementation of the 7th Pay Commission.

Raising slogans against the authorities, the protesters alleged they were being discriminated against.

‘Discrimination’

“The 7th Pay Commission has been implemented in most other Central government organisations, including the UGC itself. Why are we being discriminated against?” said Wahabuddin of the Jamia Administrative Staff Association.

Extending support to the workers, All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) national secretary Vidya Sagar Giri said, “First, the increment recommended is the lowest in years. Then, they are taking time to implement even that. We are being forced to fight for this meagre amount as well. The AITUC supports the workers and is in solidarity with them.”

Other demands

Apart from implementation of the 7th Pay Commission, the protesting workers also demanded regularisation of services of contractual workers, better compensation for the family of the deceased and a change in pension policies.

Accusing the government and the authorities of not responding to various letters, DUCKU general secretary Suresh Joshi said, “Over the past three months we have written to approximately 700 MPs, including the Prime Minister. However, we have still not heard from anyone and neither has the 7th Pay Commission been implemented for us.”