The Bombay Parsi Punchayet staff have unanimously decided to observe mass casual leave on August 21 in protest against the non-payment of bonus.
Dhunji Netarwala, general secretary, Mumbai Majdoor Sabha, said, “Every year, the Parsi punchayet board pays bonuses before the Parsi New Year. This year, they haven’t paid us. We have Class IV employees who live in villages and work at Dongarwadi. They depend on the bonus to look after their families. They are suffering without the bonus.”
According to the staff, the Parsi Punchayat Board, comprising seven trustees, are yet to acknowledge their charter of demands submitted eight months ago demanding allowances and a wage hike.
As a sign of protest, the staff had plain masoor dal (lentils) for lunch on Parsi New Year instead of the usual chicken pulav dal and saas ni machhi (fish in white sauce) with Falooda. They also decided not to celebrate the New Year with any festive lighting.
Mr. Netarwala said, “This year, we won’t be able to enjoy any festivities because of the mismanagement and internal fighting between the trustees of the board. They have the money, but are making false excuses and delaying the bonuses. Even on New Year, they have decided to ignore us. The protest will obviously not be easy for many, but we will try and see what happens and decide on the course of action.”
