Mysore/Mysuru: The indefinite stir launched by Outsourced Hostel Workers serving at Hostels run by the Social Welfare Department across the district, seeking release of backlog wages (6 month wages) and fulfillment of other demands, entered the second day today in the city. Outsourced Hostel workers, under the banner of  Karnataka Rajya Samyukta Vasathi Nilaya Karmikara Sangha and AIUTUC, began the stir in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here yesterday  by striking work at Hostels and it continued for the second day today at the same venue.

Accusing the authorities of not paying wages for the past 6 months, the protestors urged the Government to consider their plea for a hike in wages and grant them statutory benefits.

Speaking to Star of Mysore this morning, N. Muddukrishna, the District Secretary of the Sangha, said that there are about 250 outsourced workers serving in Hostels run by the Social Welfare Department. Pointing out that they are not being absorbed  by the Government even though they are serving for over 15 years, he alleged that the workers have not been paid wages for the past 6 months, which has caused a lot of hardship for them.

Noting that the workers chiefly include Cooks, Assistant Cooks and Watchmen, Muddukrishna said that most of the cooks are women and they are now forced to come on to the streets as they are not paid wages.

 Maintaining that they are paid a meagre salary of Rs.8,000 to Rs.10,000 a month, he said that the Government should take measures to cover them under statutory benefits. He urged the Government for hiking the wages, issuance of appointment letters, providing Provident Fund and such other benefits.

He also contended that the stir would continue until the Government  meets their demands.