A union leader said 122 muster roll workers were employed at the institute, of whom only 20 had been regularised so far
KRC TIMES Barak Valley Bureau
Silchar : Fifty-four muster roll workers of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Silchar in Assam’s Cachar district have launched a hunger strike demanding regularisation of their services. The protest outside the institute’s main administrative office entered its third day on Wednesday, according to members of the NIT Workers’ Union.
The workers are seeking permanent status, citing a Gauhati High Court order directing NIT Silchar to regularise the services of its muster roll employees and extend benefits available to permanent staff.
A union leader said 122 muster roll workers were employed at the institute, of whom only 20 had been regularised so far. The remaining workers, the union claimed, have continued to serve the institute for several decades, with some having joined as early as 1993.
The protesters said their demand was based on their long years of service as well as the court’s direction on regularisation.The workers have vowed to continue the hunger strike until the authorities take steps to address their demands.
The protest has brought renewed attention to the employment status and long-term service conditions of muster roll workers at the premier technical institute in Barak Valley. NIT Silchar authorities could not be reached immediately for their response to the workers’ demands.
