The outsourced power workers in Madhya Pradesh have launched an indefinite strike on Monday, under the banner of Madhya Pradesh Electricity Outsourced Workers Association. The workers took out a symbolic protest in Ujjain by holding the funeral of the contractors of the companies with which they are associated. Deccan, Balaji Security Service, Prime One, Third Eye, etc. are the main companies which are providing workers for the electricity board to engage in the electricity works of the state.

Earlier, more than 30 outsourced workers, who had at least 15 years of experience, had been terminated from service, without any prior notice or any reason. One of the demands of the protesting workers includes the rehabilitation of the terminated workers. Though the workers have communicated with the chief minister and energy minister in the state, nothing has turned up in favour of the workers.

The struggles of the contract and outsourced workers have been there for a long time. In April 2017, more than 20,000 workers of all the power distribution companies had gone on a strike, demanding job regularisation as per the promise of the BJP regime in the state. Ahead of the assembly elections in 2013, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP regime had promised that if the party returns to form the government, all power staff on contract and outsourced work would be regularized. However, even after paving the way to power, the BJP government has been ignoring the demands of the workers in this sector.

There are three power distribution companies under Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company (MPPMC)- Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company, Purv Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company, Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company.

Earlier, there were reports suggesting that the government had been gearing up for the privatization of the electricity board. Following this, the employees of the electricity board had held demonstrations across the state in October last year against the government’smove to privatise the board. During the same protest, the demand for making temporary workers permanent was also being raised. Apart from this, the workers had put forward a 15-charter of demand that included uniform benefits and pay scale to all employees of all companies, an end to the one-sided decision making in amendments of labour laws, implementation of seventh pay commission, etc. among others.

However, the protesters have said that the workers would go on an indefinite fast and would organize more intensified protests if the administration is not ready to meet their demands.