Shimla, Nov 16,
A glimmer of hope emerged for the agitating computer teachers as their representatives held discussions with Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu after a month of continuous protests at Ambedkar Chowk here.
The teachers, hired through outsourcing agencies for over 24 years, have been raising concerns over delayed salaries and lack of regularization of their services.
The prolonged agitation brought to light the plight of these teachers, who claim to be victims of a flawed tripartite arrangement.
Despite being integral to the state’s education system, their employer—an intermediary company—has consistently failed to ensure timely salary disbursement, leaving them in financial distress.
“We have been serving the state for over two decades, yet our services remain outsourced. It is disheartening that even after such long-standing commitment, we are denied regular employment and basic job security,” one of the protesting teachers remarked.
The protest at Ambedkar Chowk saw significant support from local communities and teacher associations, highlighting the growing discontent against outsourcing practices in critical sectors.
The computer teachers accused the state government, as the principal employer, of turning a blind eye to their grievances and leaving them at the mercy of private agencies.
In response, Chief Minister Sukhu acknowledged their concerns during the meeting and assured the delegation of exploring feasible solutions to address their demands.
Sources close to the discussions indicated that the state government is contemplating reforms to end the dependency on outsourcing agencies and improve the working conditions of outsourced staff.
The protest appeared to have thawed the long-standing differences between the computer teachers and the government. However, skepticism remains.
Many teachers fear that assurances made during talks may not translate into concrete action. “The government must take responsibility and end this tripartite arrangement that has made us suffer for decades,” another teacher said.
The protests have drawn attention to the broader issue of outsourcing in public services and its impact on employees’ well-being. If the government delivers on its promises, this could set a precedent for addressing similar grievances across other sectors in the state.
For now, the protesting teachers wait cautiously, hoping their voices have finally been heard after years of being neglected.
The resolution of this issue would be keenly watched in the coming days, as it tests the state government’s commitment to its workforce and education sector.
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