The ongoing indefinite strike of Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) daily wage workers on job regularisation has put on hold the results of approximately 8 lakh matriculation and intermediate
candidates who took the examination in March 2016. The JAC results were expected to be disclosed in the May first week but the ongoing tussle between the JAC administration and the workers has delayed the procedure.
As many as 264 workers are on indefinite strike and will continue the protest unless all their demands are fulfilled. “All our demands were earlier accepted by the board members in the meeting conducted in April but later the chairperson denied giving us our rights, stating that job regularization is not under his jurisdictions. Only 27 permanent employees are there at JAC office. 43 employees are getting all benefits entitled to payroll staffs whereas rest 264 employees are on daily wages and does not receive allowances and perks as per their jobs,” said, Shyamal Dutta, a protester, who works as Assistant Daily Worker at JAC.
The workers delivering their services as assistants, routine clerks, drivers and peons have threatened the JAC administration to continue their strike. The protesters are demanding benefits at par with regular employees.
“We work like regular staff so we want similar benefits. Facilities of dearness allowance, house rent allowance must be ensured to us. Presently, Rs 11, 000 is the maximum amount a daily wage worker receives monthly whereas those serving as peons gets Rs 6,900 only on monthly basis,” added, Dutta.
However, JAC chairperson, Arvind Prasad Singh, claimed that the workers demands are irrational. “We have taken legal opinion from Advocate General on the matter and it is not at all possible to give similar benefits to daily wage workers as permanent employees. 50 per cent honorarium of the daily wage workers has been increased. Apart from this, I am helpless and cannot give any decision on job regularization as it is not under my authority,” informed, Singh.
Daily wage workers of JAC are on a strike since April 25 thus leaving only approximately 80 regular employees doing all the work and completing the results protocol.
The results of matriculation and intermediate examination organised by JAC have been delayed by a week now. The matriculation and intermediate Science and commerce results were to be declared on May 15 subsequently followed by the intermediate arts result.
“We are trying our best to release the results as soon as possible. The strike of daily wage workers has led to the delay in publishing results. On May 20, matriculation and intermediate science and commerce will be announced whereas in the last week of May intermediate humanities result will be out,” stated JAC Chairperson, Singh.