The painful death of the striking contract worker
Bilaspur. A contract worker agitating for regularization died. As soon as the news of the death of this employee was received, there was silence in the pandal at the protest site at Tuta in Nava Raipur. The agitating employees observed silence for two minutes and prayed for the peace of the soul of the deceased agitator. According to the information received from the organization of contract employees, the agitator who died used to work as an attendant in the community health center of Pandariya.
This agitator named Motilal Kaushik has died in a road accident. He was on strike since July 3 and was returning home after participating in the strike related programs being held in Pandariya. Suraj Singh of the employee’s organization told that Motilal Kaushik’s wife had died four months ago during delivery. Motilal has a 4-month-old baby girl, at the strike site in Nava Raipur, there was a discussion about how that 4-month-old baby would be maintained. The heart trembles at the thought of this. Bijapur District Coordinator Ramakant Punetha said that Motilal became a martyr while fighting against the contract system.
After his death who is going to think about his 4 month old baby girl. That girl child will neither get any kind of pension nor has the government been able to arrange any social security. Motilal’s death has always posed a question before the government. Shweta Soni, District Convener of Dantewada said that this is the plight of the contract workers, now there is no one left to take care of the health and education of that girl child, nor will she get any compassionate appointment from other employees or any family member of Motilal. 45 thousand contract workers of the state are on strike.
By reciting beautiful recitations at the picket site, the contractual employees prayed to fulfill their demands. The Congress had promised regularization in the election manifesto. The tenure of the government is about to end but the promise has not been fulfilled. The contract workers are on strike for the last 25 days. The government had given an ultimatum to return to work within three days, but the workers are adamant on the strike. The movement of these contract workers is getting support from All India Kisan Federation, Chandranahun (Chandra) Vikas Maha Samiti, Bhim Regiment Chhattisgarh, Chhattisgarh Kranti Sena and other social organizations. Arrangement of food and drink for such a large number of employees is a big challenge. Social organizations are giving help. Political organizations BJP, Aam Aadmi Party are also supporting the workers.
