In a defiant display of discontent, over 125 female workers and helpers associated with various creches under the aegis of the Indian Bal Kalyan Parishad protested vehemently outside the Bal Bhavan Sector 23 for the second consecutive day on Friday. The rally, led by the Indian Bal Kalyan Parishad Employees Union, expressed strong resentment against the forced reduction in wages, bringing them on par with Anganwadi workers.
Addressing the gathering during the rally, Union President Rekha Sharma, Vice President Sunita Sharma, Rekha Gora, Lakhvinder Kaur, Vandana Sekhavat, and General Secretary Bihari Lal criticized the decision to cut the salaries of creche employees despite the vast wealth and substantial deposits in the council’s accounts. The union alleged that, despite having funds in the range of Rs 7.5 – 8 crores and a fixed deposit of nearly Rs 7 crores, the wages of employees were diminished without any consultation.
Furthermore, they revealed that the council is resorting to borrowing from the MCB Corporation, citing a lack of funds, and redistributing the reduced wages, which is a direct violation of the rights of creche workers. The union emphasized that the Poshana Scheme, seemingly designed to equalize the wages of creche workers and Anganwadi workers, is detrimental to the former, considering their full-time responsibilities of caring for children for 10-11 continuous hours.
Union leaders expressed concern over the dismissal of EPF and ESI benefits and the imposition of stringent rules, signaling that such actions would not be tolerated. They called on all workers, Chandigarh’s various departmental unions, federations, parents, and other democratic organizations to join forces in the fight against this injustice. Following the rally, a memorandum was submitted to the administrative advisor. In the continued struggle, the federation has declared a three-day dharna in Sectors 22, 23, and 24, with a complete strike scheduled for January 30.
