2021-09-01 : Workers' letter for the community

Dear Friends,

This mail is to share an appeal for support from the community by the workers of our Institute which has been signed by over a thousand workers

The workers have shared their dire conditions with fellow community members (including us) and asked questions about their place in the Institute of which they are an integral part.

They have appealed for a right to work and live with minimum dignity like the rest of us in these pandemic times. They seek:

• To work for the entire month at minimum wages

And if that be not possible

• To get a minimum living wage to sustain them and their families

It has now been over sixteen months since the pandemic disrupted our lives. As we have struggled to cope with various contingencies, we have at least had the security of a steady pay check ensured by the Institute where we work. During the same period, the Institute has also made sure that the physical infrastructure on campus is not only well maintained but also developed to meet our growing needs. But the workers have faced a drastic reduction, and in many cases, complete cessation of any income. Hamara Manch has been documenting their situation over these months (all the reports including the latest two can be found here: https://nirvaakiitk.wordpress.com/).

The most desperate situation is of the mess workers as is highlighted in the appeal. Their fellow workers in sanitation and horticulture, whose own workdays have been drastically reduced, have shown their solidarity with the mess workers by joining them in support to bring this request to the community.

We believe that as responsible members of this community we too should extend our support to these workers in their demand for the basic right to dignified existence in these trying times like the rest of us.

The workers’ appeal, along with its English translation, are attached.

Please respond to this mail to articulate your support and provide suggestions about how we can take the workers' appeal further.

Hamara Manch

Sept. 2, 2021

Attachment:

Workers' appeal for community support.pdf

English translation of Workers' Appeal.pdf