Ashoka University housekeeping staff on strike for hike in wages, job security, dismissed workers

In an unusual incident, the housekeeping staff of Ashoka University has gone on a strike demanding fair compensation, job security, and workers’ rights. The workers have been protesting on gate 1 of the university against alleged surveillance issues, exploitation, and “unjust” working conditions.

According to the protesting staff, the strike is not just a call for fulfilling demands but a response to the longstanding concerns and larger issues regarding wages, arbitrary dismissals, as they complained of facing injustice on the campus.

Students of the Haryana-based private university have extended their support to the university staff and promised to stand in solidarity with them until the demands are met.

Among the demands made by the Ashoka University workers are an increase in monthly wages, guaranteed salary increment, and reinstatement of three dismissed workers.

Ashoka University staff issues

The housekeeping staff has demanded a hike in the wages from the current Rs 12,000 to Rs 18,000 and 10% annual increment in salaries to ensure fair growth and security. They want the university to give back the jobs of three other workers who were dismissed toward the end of the last Spring semester and assure that no staff participating in the strike will face any action.

For ensuring implementation of the demands and safeguarding their jobs, the staff has asked for a formal written agreement, jointly signed by representatives of service provider Bluspring and Ashoka University.

Meanwhile, the university has distanced itself from the issue citing no role in the management of staff. "Ashoka University contracts out some services to third party vendors. The terms of engagement are managed by the respective companies and Ashoka University has no role in their decisions," it told Careers360 .