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Arbitrariness arising out of the hierarchical setup within the campus reflects most keenly in the whimsical ways workers are dismissed or punishments imparted. Particularly noticeable is:
Complete arbitrariness on what can lead to a punishment : they can get fired for eating left-over snacks (that have been offered to them!), or because their machine broke down, or even because they got cancer. If not fired, they may get 'baithaki' (forced unpaid leave, anywhere from two to forty days) because they slept during the lunch time, or even because they took too long for the toilet. An institute order even recommends strictest action against workers found sitting together!
Lack of any sense of proportion and any due process : workers are not informed of the punishments, even of dismissals till the very last moment. They have received long forced unpaid leaves for leaving fifteen minutes early, and have been fired for complaining against contractor's illegalities. There have been known cases of even institute officials extracting personal favors from the contract workers, there is no place to complaint. No investigation of "complaints" that supposedly lead to dismissals take place, in fact all the investigations we know of actually occurred after the dismissal (when the workers, with the support of community, questioned the basis).
All the blame is always on workers : it is never the case that a contractor has been punished, even for documented illegalities, let alone for deficiency of service. So even if the students decide on lowering BDMR (Basic Daily Meal Rate), it is the head cook who pays with his job for the worsening food quality! And the contractor bags another contract. It is worthwhile to note that even when workers have complaint against the contractor (say against non payment of wages), it is the workers who have lost their jobs while contractors continued to bag contracts.
Day in day out, the workers who ensure smooth functioning of the institute have this uncertainty hanging over their heads. With no censure from the principal employer, the workers are subject to continuous harassment and makes it impossible for them to even speak up against their exploitative work conditions. It is worthwhile to note hat in a June 15, 2010 circular, the institute made clear attempt to withdraw from all responsibilities in this regard. This was retraction of several promises made in the September 16, 2007 Office Order, for a discussion see here.
Below you can find a brief background and details of some of the incidents that could be documented in this context:
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