Mysuru: The outsourced employees (contract workers) of Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMC&RI) who were protesting against non-payment of wage arrears and demanding minimum wages and other facilities since Friday last in front of the office of Dean and Director and Administrative Officer, called off their stir yesterday evening following an assurance given by the contractor at a meeting held in the presence of MMC&RI Dean and Director and Labour Department officials.

The outsourced employees were staging the protest under the aegis of MMC&RI United Contract Workers Union. Secretary of the Union  S.H. Harish told Star of Mysore, that about 800 contract workers were working in KR Hospital and PKTB Hospital, Super Specialty Hospital, Trauma Care Centre, Cheluvamba Hospital, and Dean and Administrative offices.

Contract workers are functioning as security guards, ayahs, nurses and Group D workers. Except those who are working  in emergency department, all others are participating in the protest, he added.

Social activist Ugra Narasimhegowda who addressed the workers wondered whether the District Minister was not aware of the problems faced by  contract workers.

I am sure he knows all the issues and still not taking action to address them. The present government including District Minister and are spending hundreds of crores to spread awareness about the aspirations of our Constitution. But they are not taking measures to ensure minimum wages for workers as per the Constitution. This is not a good sign. District Minister, Dean and others concerned must act responsibly and resolve the issue of contract workers, he demanded.

District Labour Officer Chethan and Senior Labour Inspector Madappa met the protesting workers and later met MMC&RI Dean and Director Dr. K.R. Dakshayini at her office and held discussions with her. Following this, the labour officers directed the contractor, who was also present at the meeting, to provide all facilities as per rules including minimum wages to the contract workers.

Social activist Rajanna, Union activists C. Aravind, Akkamahadevi, Rajamma, Bhagyamma, S.M. Pavithra and others  were present.