Rallies held across various departments by the Federation of UT Employees and Workers, Chandigarh; preparations for the August 5th protest finalized.

Rallies held across various departments by the Federation of UT Employees and Workers, Chandigarh; preparations for the August 5th protest finalized.

Strong demand raised for the immediate regularization of contract employees who have completed 10 years of service, the absorption of outsourced staff into departments, and the implementation of "equal pay for equal work."

Chandigarh 3 August ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : Continuing their ongoing series of protests, the Federation of UT Employees and Workers, Chandigarh, organized rallies today at the MC Horticulture Booth (Sector 38 and Dhanas), Water Works (Sector 4), and MC Electricity (Sector 30), thereby finalizing preparations for the protest scheduled for August 5, 2026. During these rallies, key demands were prominently raised: the immediate regularization of all contract employees who have completed 10 years of service, the swift absorption of outsourced staff into the departments, and the provision of equal pay for equal work.

It was emphatically stated that the employees would accept nothing less. The Administration must take immediate and appropriate steps to address and implement the demands of the temporary employees. Addressing protest rallies, Federation President Rajendra Katoch, General Secretary Harkesh Chand, Chairman Gopal Dutt Joshi, Vice President Budhram, Joint Secretary Bihari Lal, and other office bearers—including Hardeep Singh (General Secretary, CMC Horticulture Workers Union), Ajayab Singh, Sohanlal, Rajendra Kumar (Finance Secretary), Mata Sharan (Deputy President), Perumal (Organizing Secretary), Ayyappan (Auditor), Gurpreet Singh (Press Secretary), Harpal Singh (President, CMC Public Health Workers Union), Hanif Mohammad (Cashier), and others—strongly criticized the Chandigarh Administration and the Municipal Corporation authorities. 

They stated that the negative and anti-employee working style of the administration and the corporation has led to a continuous escalation of employees' grievances. Instead of engaging in dialogue to resolve issues, the administration maintains a negative attitude. Consequently, numerous demands have remained pending for a long time, including: regularizing all daily-wage and contract employees who have completed 10 years of service; bringing outsourced employees directly under the administration or a government agency (instead of the GeM portal) to ensure job security until retirement; implementing the "equal pay for equal work" principle; restoring the old pension scheme; promptly filling vacant promotional posts; immediately releasing retirement benefits to retired personnel; revoking the decision to hand over Horticulture Department parks and green belts to private societies via MoUs; providing uniforms, oil, soap, children's allowance, and CGHS facilities; raising the ESI and bonus eligibility limit to ₹50,000; rectifying errors in supervisors' DC rates; unconditionally increasing the DC rates by 2% for all outsourced employees who have completed five years of service; and implementing DC rates for Anganwadi, crèche, and mid-day meal workers. 

Therefore, the struggle will continue through both departmental and joint actions. He appealed to all employees to participate in large numbers in the protest organized by the Federation of UT Employees and Workers, Chandigarh, and the Sanyukt Karamchari Morcha on August 5, 2026.