Blurb:
Midday meal workers staged a protest in the city, urging authorities to address multiple unresolved demands affecting livelihoods.
Kalaburagi
Midday meal workers under the banner of the Midday Meal Workers Association staged a protest in the city on Monday, demanding the immediate fulfilment of their long-pending demands. The protest was led by association president Yashoda, who accused the authorities of ignoring the genuine concerns of thousands of workers engaged in the government’s midday meal scheme.
Addressing the protesters, Yashoda said the agitation was a result of prolonged neglect by the administration despite repeated representations. She stated that midday meal workers play a crucial role in ensuring nutritional food reaches schoolchildren, particularly those from economically weaker sections. While the scheme is often praised as a flagship welfare initiative, the workers who run it are treated unfairly and denied basic rights, she alleged.
Among the key demands raised were an increase in honorarium, timely payment of wages, job security, and recognition as permanent workers. Yashoda pointed out that many workers are forced to manage rising household expenses with meagre and irregular payments. Prices of essential commodities have gone up, but our wages have remained stagnant for years. This is pushing workers into severe financial distress, she said.
The association president also highlighted issues related to working conditions, stating that many kitchens lack proper infrastructure and safety measures. She demanded that the government provide adequate facilities, including clean cooking spaces, storage units, and safety equipment. We are responsible for feeding children, yet we ourselves work in unsafe and unhealthy conditions, she added.
Protesters further demanded social security benefits such as pension, medical insurance, and maternity benefits. According to the association, a majority of midday meal workers are women from marginalized backgrounds, making social security support even more critical. Yashoda stressed that welfare schemes cannot succeed unless the workforce behind them is treated with dignity and fairness.
The protestors warned that if their demands continue to be ignored, they would intensify their agitation in the coming days. Plans for submitting memoranda to senior officials and organizing larger state-level demonstrations were also announced. Our protest is peaceful, but our resolve is strong. We will continue our struggle until justice is delivered, Yashoda asserted.
