Continued Strikes by Haryana Workers : A Reflection of Failed Governance?

Under the current regime, there has been a systematic crackdown on workers leading to a series of strikes and protests. Haryana is one such state which has been witness to such struggles by the agitated workers, underlining the fact that people are highly disappointed with the functioning of the government led by the BJP.

Workers spanning across various spectrum, including - transport workers, multi-purpose health workers, assistant professors, electricity workers, and others, are rising against the state government for “victimising and repressing” them.

On October 25, candidates selected for the post of assistant professor poured out in large numbers near the office of the Director General, Higher Education, due to failure in issuing appointment letters to them. As per the protesting candidates, over 156 candidates selected for the post of assistant professor are waiting for their joining letters since the past 14 months but there has been no development until now. “Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) had advertised for 1,647 posts in 29 subjects for assistant professor (college cadre). The results for assistant professor (computer science) were declared in August 2017 ,” the Tribune quoted the candidates as saying.

Moreover, the candidates who had not been selected in the 2017 result had expressed expressed grave disappointment regarding the selection process and had filed a case challenging the same in the Haryana and Punjab High Court. But the HC had granted a stay in the matter.

However, these are not the only workers who are protesting. Other protests have also erupted in the state in the recent times:

Strike by Haryana transport workers

In another case of mass agitation, more than 2.5 lakh employees of Haryana government went on a one-day mass leave in support of the ongoing strike by the Haryana road ways staffers. Workers affiliated to the Sarv Karamchari Sangh (SKS) and other trade unions also joined the transport workers in the stir further emboldening their resistance.

The road and transport workers went on the strike on October 16, to oppose the repressive measures taken by the BJP-led government. “Now, the government has again initiated steps to engage 720 private buses on lease to operate in state transport routes on ‘kilometer’ basis. It is obvious that such action of the Government is motivated to ultimately privatise the most efficiently run public transport system in Haryana,” the central trade unions had told Newsclick earlier.

ALSO READ: Haryana Roadways Workers Call for Strike Against Privatisation

A statement issued by the All India Conference of Road Transport Workers’ Federation (AIRTWF), commenting on the state repression on the protesting workers, read, “It is a matter of shock and anguish that instead of opening dialogue with the striking unions, the Government has resorted to vindictive and repressive actions. Union offices of AIRTWF, AITUC (All India Trade Union Congress), INTUC (Indian National Trade Union Congress) in some places like Faridabad depot have been sealed.”

The strike entered the 12th day today and the workers have resolved that they will continue protesting until the government does not confront the workers directly.

Haryana Multi Purpose Health Workers Strike:

The multi-purpose health workers (MPHW) across Haryana were on a three-week strike which started on August 27. MPH workers who serve the first and foremost step in the nursing profession were protesting against the government’s apathy in dealing with their issues.

“The main demands include technical status for the post of MPH workers, implementation of the grade pay of Rs 4,200, enforcement of uniform allowance for the employees of Reproductive and Child Health (RCH), and the reintroduction of additional honorarium of Rs. 2,090, Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 4,000 for RCH workers with immediate effect,” Surekha, a member of the Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU) had told Newsclick earlier.

ALSO READ: Haryana Multi-Purpose Health Workers’ Strike Continues for 3rd week

The workers withdrew the strike on October 26, after the government promised to implement their demands.

Strike by ASHA workers

The ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers in Haryana also had to lead a protracted struggle against the government after which their demands were met.

More than 20,000 ASHA workers from Haryana had participated in a demonstration in July 2018 in Karnal, Haryana. The workers had united under the banner of Haryana ASHA Workers’ Union to reiterate their demands which the BJP government had failed to address even after an agreement was signed with the workers on Feburary 1.

As per the agreement, ASHA workers were supposed to receive a fixed salary of Rs. 4,000 per month, in addition to the incentives for the various roles performed by them. The workers were on an ongoing strike since January for the implementation of their pending demands. The above agreement had been reached after a prolonged battle but the agreed demands did not materialise any further.

Following the failure of the state government, ASHA workers launched a strike “Jail Bharo” on June 7, 2018. The strike resulted in the government announcement that they have accepted the demands of the workers and their union.

Also read: Haryana ASHA Workers Emerge Victorious, Government Upholds Feb 1 Agreement

Haryana State Electricity Board JEs’ Strike

Junior engineers (JE) from the state electricity board had also gone on a two-day strike on September 27, demanding improved wages and better promotion opportunities from Junior Engineer to Sub divisional engineer. However, they called off the strike for the convenience of the residents after two days.

Even though the condition of the government workers in Haryana seems to be grim, it is clear that they are not hesitating to come out onto the streets and raise their voice against the state government.