Municipal Employees Protest in Karnal, Seeking Job Security and Salary Upgrades

In Karnal, Haryana, members of the Municipal Employees Union staged a protest outside Chief Minister Manohar Lal's residence, demanding job security and salary enhancements. Hundreds gathered beneath the Railway Road flyover, proceeding to demonstrate in front of the CM's residence. The police barricaded the route, leading to a sit-in protest on the cold pavement, where employees voiced their grievances against the government.

The protesting employees, including both men and women, criticised the government's lack of attention to their demands over the past nine years. They specifically highlighted the need for regularisation of temporary employees and salary hikes. Despite assurances in the pre-election manifesto of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014, the municipal workers claimed that their demands for job security and increased pay had not been met. The union leaders, such as Sushil Gurjar, district head of the Municipal Employees Union, emphasised that the primary demand was to convert temporary positions into permanent ones, ensuring a stable livelihood for workers and their families.

The demonstration lasted for approximately an hour, during which the employees voiced their dissent, criticising the government's indifference towards their long-standing issues. Duty magistrates later arrived at the scene, assuring the protesting workers that their demands would be communicated to the government. The employees warned of intensified protests if their demands were not addressed promptly.

Their ultimatum focused on the government fulfilling promises made in previous manifestos, including job security and improved working conditions for municipal workers who have been serving for over a decade. The protest shed light on the challenges faced by municipal employees and their determination to fight for their rights. The government's commitment to addressing these concerns will likely influence the ongoing dialogue between the workers and the administration in Haryana.