Rallies and Demonstrations Begin Across Various Departments Demanding Diwali Bonuses for Outsourced Workers

Rallies and Demonstrations Begin Across Various Departments Demanding Diwali Bonuses for Outsourced Workers

Chandigarh 28 October ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : Following a call by the Federation of UT Employees and Workers, Chandigarh, to hold rallies and demonstrations across all departments, protests took place today at electricity offices in Sectors 43 and 40, as well as at horticulture units in Sectors 40, 29, 15, 16, and Manimajra. The demonstrations were held to press for several demands on behalf of outsourced workers employed by the Chandigarh Administration, the Municipal Corporation, CPDL, and other institutions. These demands include: payment of a Diwali bonus; an additional 2% increase in DC (Deputy Commissioner) rates for outsourced workers who have completed five years of service, along with the prompt disbursement of arrears; an increase in the ESI (Employee State Insurance) wage limit from ₹21,000 to ₹50,000, coupled with the immediate provision of medical benefits; the elimination of intermediaries (contractors) to bring workers directly under the respective departments; the formulation of a regularization policy; the implementation of the principle of "equal pay for equal work" until permanent status is granted; a fixed minimum wage of ₹42,000; the extension of CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) benefits to UT employees; the reinstatement of workers terminated from departments such as Public Health, Smart City, and the Fire Department; and the cancellation of the privatization of street lighting, parking, and solid waste management services. Furthermore, the participants expressed strong opposition to the negative stance adopted by the officials of the Chandigarh Administration and the Municipal Corporation regarding these demands.

Addressing rallies held at various locations, Federation President Gopal Dutt Joshi, Chief Rajendra Katoch, General Secretary Harkesh Chand, Additional General Secretary Amrik Singh, Vice-Presidents Budhram, Gurmeet Singh, Ranjeet Singh, Hardeep Singh, Sukhwinder Singh Sidhu, Virender Singh, Surjit Singh, Pan Singh Rana, Rajendra Perumal, Mata Sharan, Darshan Singh, and others pointed out a glaring injustice: ahead of Diwali, the Railways granted its employees a 78-day productivity-linked bonus, while Central government employees received an ad-hoc bonus of approximately ₹7,000. In contrast, daily-wage workers received a mere ₹1,188, and outsourced personnel—who have served in these departments for 10 to 20 years—received nothing at all. Is this what justice looks like? Outsourced workers are relied upon to perform the labor, yet they are the ones who suffer the most; they toil hard all month, often failing to receive their wages on time, and are effectively cheated when it comes to bonuses.

The speakers emphasized that the Chandigarh Administration must remember its role as the 'principal employer' of these outsourced workers; therefore, it is the Administration's responsibility to safeguard their interests—ensuring timely payment of wages, granting leave, and implementing the Bonus Act. If the Administration cannot provide the bonus itself, why does it not issue an order mandating that the contractors—who have been involved in the embezzlement of crores of rupees in the recruitment of outsourced staff—pay the bonus? This is a blatant violation of the Bonus Act and labor laws. It is deeply concerning that such exploitation is occurring within government departments. 

Even workers in small-scale factories are entitled to an 8.33% bonus under the Bonus Act. If the government believes that these [employees] do not fall under the purview of the existing law, then why not remove the contractors and bring them directly under the government or a government agency to ensure the security of their service? The Federation of UT Employees and Workers, Chandigarh, urges the administration to take immediate cognizance of this matter and ensure that outsourced employees are paid their bonuses before Diwali. Furthermore, the Federation requests the payment of a 2% increase in DC (Deputy Commissioner) rates, an immediate upward revision of the ESI (Employee State Insurance) deduction threshold to at least 50,000, and the settlement of all outstanding salary arrears. The Federation has also appealed to all employees to make the protest (dharna) scheduled for November 3rd a success and to participate actively in the convention being held on November 14th at Bhakna Bhawan, Sector 29.