- But when stay was vacated, order was not issued even after 20 days: Bhargava
Bhopal: The Labor Department in Madhya Pradesh, established to safeguard the rights and interests of countless workers, is facing criticism for favoring contractors and industrial organizations over the workers it was designed to support. State Convener of the All Department Outsource Samyukta Sangharsh Morcha, Manoj Bhargava, and General Secretary Dinesh Sisodia have lodged a written complaint about this issue to the Chief Minister, Labor Minister, and Principal Secretary of the Labor Department.
Allegations of Favoritism
According to Bhargava, when the minimum wages for workers in Madhya Pradesh were increased in April 2024, contractors and industrial organizations sought a stay on the decision from the High Court Bench in Indore on May 21, 2024. Following this, the Labor Commissioner in Indore acted swiftly to issue an order reducing the wages. For the first time in 68 years, workers’ wages were initially increased from ?1,625 to ?2,434, only to be rolled back significantly under this directive. Not only were the revised wages slashed, but the excess payments already made were also recovered, leaving workers financially burdened.
Delay in implementing HC’s Order to Remove the Stay
In early December 2024, the High Court Bench in Indore lifted the stay on the wage hike. However, even after 20 days, the Labor Commissioner has failed to implement the court’s decision. Bhargava accuses the commissioner of providing vague and evasive responses, which he deems highly objectionable and indicative of administrative negligence.
Appeal for Immediate Action
Bhargava and Sisodia have urged the Chief Minister, Labor Minister, and Principal Secretary of the Labor Department to take swift action. They demand the immediate enforcement of the High Court’s order to remove the stay on the wage hike. Additionally, they have called for the disbursal of increased wages, along with arrears for the period from April 2024 to December 2024, to lakhs of mill workers, daily wage earners, and outsourced employees working across various departments, undertakings, and power companies in the state. The workers expect to receive the due payments by January 2025.
This situation highlights growing dissatisfaction among labor representatives regarding the perceived bias of the Labor Department and delays in upholding workers’ rights. Immediate intervention is necessary to restore trust and ensure justice for the affected workforce.
