Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 17 (ANI): The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Shimla on Monday, raising a range of demands related to workers and employees while criticising both the Central and Himachal Pradesh governments.
The protesters raised slogans and demanded an increase in the minimum monthly wage to Rs 30,000. They also sought the release of pending arrears and dearness allowance (DA) and demanded that all eligible employees be brought under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
BMS state general secretary Yashpal Heta said the protest was part of a nationwide campaign aimed at highlighting the concerns and rights of workers across different sectors. Heta called for an increase in the minimum wage to Rs 30,000 and sought an enhancement in gratuity. He also raised issues concerning workers in various sectors, including bank employees.
The BMS state general secretary also expressed reservations about the four labour codes. He said the union had objections to 28 provisions of the codes and demanded that the concerns raised by workers and employees be addressed.
The union also sought proper social security measures and minimum wages for scheme workers. Heta specifically mentioned Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, Mid-Day Meal workers and personnel working under the National Health Mission (NHM).
The BMS also targeted the Himachal Pradesh government over the pending arrears and DA of employees. Heta alleged that employees working in several boards and corporations were still outside the coverage of the Old Pension Scheme and called for their concerns to be resolved.
The union further demanded an early resolution of issues concerning outsourced employees and workers in several other categories. These included multi-task workers, Jal Rakshaks, Panchayat Chowkidars and employees working in other departments and establishments.
Heta said the union would submit a 24-point charter of demands concerning the Himachal Pradesh government to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu through the Deputy Commissioner. In addition, the BMS plans to submit an 11-point memorandum concerning the Central government to the Prime Minister, Union Labour Minister and Union Finance Minister.
The protest formed part of the BMS’s broader organisational and nationwide campaign on workers’ issues. The union said it would continue raising the demands until action was taken to address the concerns of workers and employees.
The protest in Shimla brought together workers and union members seeking changes in wages, pension benefits, social security and employment conditions, while also highlighting sector-specific issues faced by employees across Himachal Pradesh. (ANI)
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