Contract workers at Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMC&RI) have staged a massive protest demanding three months of pending wages and an end to systemic harassment by supervisors.

  • Protest launched by MMC&RI contract workers over three months of unpaid wages.
  • Allegations of harassment by 'self-proclaimed' supervisors under private agencies.
  • Demands include minimum wage adherence and timely EPF/ESI contributions.

In a significant escalation of labor unrest, the contract workers of Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMC&RI) gathered in front of the institute’s administrative building on Monday. The protest, organized under the aegis of the MMC&RI Contract Workers’ Union affiliated with the All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), highlights a growing crisis of worker exploitation within the institution.

The protesting staff alleged that their salaries for the past three months have remained unpaid, leaving many in financial distress. Beyond the financial grievances, the workers raised serious allegations regarding the conduct of 'self-proclaimed' supervisors operating within the D-Group cadre under private agencies, claiming they are subjected to constant harassment.

Read Also:Independence Day 2026: Comprehensive Guide to Delhi Traffic Restrictions and Diversions

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the reliance on third-party private agencies for essential services in public healthcare creates a 'responsibility vacuum.' When the primary institution delegates payroll and management to agencies, workers often lose their bargaining power and legal safeguards, leading to the systemic neglect witnessed at MMC&RI.

A statement released by the AIUTUC’s Mysuru district committee emphasized that the exploitation extends beyond wages. The workers have reportedly been denied basic necessities such as regular wage slips and proper uniforms. More critically, the timely contribution to the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) and Employee State Insurance (ESI) has been neglected, jeopardizing the workers' social security.

The failure to provide statutory benefits like EPF and ESI is a critical violation of labor laws that warrants immediate judicial or administrative intervention.

Union president Chandrashekhar Meti characterized the management's inaction as 'severe negligence' and 'serious injustice.' He pointed out that despite a mandatory 20-day legal strike notice being served, the MMC&RI administration failed to initiate dialogue or resolve the grievances, leaving the employees with no choice but to take to the streets.

The demonstration saw participation from key labor leaders, including M. Umadevi, President of the Karnataka United Medical Education Institutions Contract Workers’ Union, and H. Shivaprakash, State Vice-president of the All India Kisan Khet Mazdoor Sanghatan. The union has indicated that the protest will continue until all demands are met in full.

Did You Know?: The 'D-Group' in institutional hierarchies typically refers to support staff, including sanitation and maintenance workers, who are often the most vulnerable to contractual exploitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the primary demands of the MMC&RI workers?
The workers are demanding the immediate release of three months' pending wages, implementation of minimum wages, issuance of wage slips, and regular EPF/ESI contributions.

2. Did the administration attempt to resolve the issue?
According to the union, the administration ignored a 20-day legal strike notice and failed to hold any talks prior to the protest.