Shimla: A massive protest erupted outside the National Law University (NLU) Ghandal Shimla as workers, under the banner of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), demonstrated against the unlawful dismissal of 64 daily-wage employees.
The protestors accused the university administration of violating the Himachal Pradesh High Court’s orders, which had put a hold on new recruitments, by hiring outsourced staff instead.
Workers gathered on the national highway and marched towards the university premises, where they raised slogans against the administration.
In a show of defiance, they staged a two-hour sit-in at the main gate, condemning what they described as the administration’s “dictatorial attitude.”
CITU Leaders Condemn ‘Hire and Fire’ Policy
Addressing the protestors, CITU State President Vijender Mehra, along with other leaders including Balak Ram, Vivek Kashyap, and Pankaj, criticized the university for openly flouting labor laws.
They argued that a legal institution responsible for teaching law was itself violating labor rights by arbitrarily terminating workers without notice.
The dismissed employees, who had been working for years in roles such as sanitation, security, hostel attendants, drivers, carpenters, electricians, and plumbers, were allegedly denied minimum wages, overtime pay, and essential benefits like EPF, ESI, and medical facilities.
Many were reportedly forced to work 12-hour shifts without additional compensation.
Workers Demand Immediate Reinstatement
The protestors put forward several key demands, including:
- Immediate reinstatement of the 43 dismissed workers.
- An end to the practice of terminating employees after 90 days.
- Regularization of daily-wage workers.
- Implementation of labor laws within the university.
- A complete stop to the “hire and fire” policy.
CITU leaders warned that if the administration fails to reinstate the workers, they will intensify the movement. The protest concluded with a firm resolution to continue the fight for workers’ rights.
Other News
State vs district-level players: Himachal CM draws comparison between ‘outside’ & ‘original’ BJP leaders
Despite CM’s assurance, Himachal patwaris and kanungos continue strike, revenue services paralysed for 14 days
Forget hiking apple import duty to 100%, Himachal orchardists fear US tariff threat may force India to slash it below 50%
Woman from Rohru in Shimla arrested by Punjab Police for chitta smuggling
Himachal budget session begins tomorrow; all eyes on BJP as it may skip all-party meeting today
