The indefinite strike by Seva Kendra employees at the District Administrative Complex in Ludhiana has intensified, further disrupting public service operations across the district. Striking workers are escalating their demands for immediate job regularization and a substantial salary increase, continuing to stay away from their desks to stage protests.
Protest Details
During the demonstrations, employees raised slogans against stagnant wages, a lack of job security, and years of administrative neglect. Protesters stated that they are forced to work extended hours for inadequate pay despite years of continuous public service. The agitation has gained momentum as more workers join the strike, leading to longer queues and delays at service counters.
Farmer Union Backs Protesters
The agitation gained external traction as members of the Bharti Kisan Union (Chaduni) visited the protest site to express full solidarity. Union leaders formally backed the employees' demands for better wages and regularization, labeling the conditions under which they work as unjustified. Jagjit Singh Arora, state general secretary of BKU (Chaduni), stated that the employees have dedicated years to public service and deserve immediate government intervention regarding their salary enhancement. Sulakhan Singh Mand, president of the union's Ludhiana Rural unit, criticized the state's contractual employment framework. He argued that the current contract system inherently breeds worker exploitation and should be entirely discontinued in public service delivery centers.
Union's Critique of Government Policies
Union members concluded that while the government frequently advertises new employment initiatives, existing workers face persistent financial uncertainty. They urged the administration to address the current workforce's genuine grievances rather than focusing on hiring new recruits. The unions emphasized that the government must prioritize the welfare of existing employees over expanding the workforce.
Root Cause of the Crisis
The crisis stems from a protest organized by the Sewa Kendra Mulazim Welfare Association over low wages and job insecurity. Striking operators, who currently earn between ₹10,000 and ₹11,500 per month, are demanding job regularization and direct absorption into government departments to end corporate exploitation by private vendors. Doorstep delivery staff have also alleged grueling 14-hour schedules alongside lengthy delays in fuel expense reimbursements. The employees argue that their work is essential for public service delivery, yet they are treated as contractual laborers without benefits or job security.
The strike has affected a wide range of services, including issuance of certificates, registration, and other administrative tasks. Residents have expressed frustration over the delays, but many sympathize with the workers' demands. The district administration has yet to respond to the protests, leaving the situation uncertain.
