Protesters said Minister Eshwar Khandre supported their issues, but officials failed to act, forcing them to resume strike due to unfulfilled promises
Chamarajanagar
Temporary employees of the Forest Department’s Wildlife Division have launched an indefinite strike at the Bandipur Safari Centre in Gundlupet taluk, demanding job security and direct salary payments from the department.
More than 500 outsourced and daily wage workers from various parts of the state joined the protest, led by Outsourced Employees Association president A.M. Nagaraju. The workers said they are opposing the outsourcing system and want the Forest Department to take direct responsibility for salaries and service benefits.
The employees alleged that despite earlier protests and assurances from the government, their demands have not been fulfilled. They recalled that over 4,000 temporary forest workers had staged demonstrations last November, but no concrete action was taken afterward.
The protesters said Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre had expressed support for resolving their issues, but senior officials have not followed through. They warned that repeated promises without implementation have forced them to restart the strike.
Workers said that earlier they received salaries and benefits under a welfare system, but after changes made in 2017, payments are being routed through outsourcing agencies. They claimed this system has led to irregular salaries, lack of benefits, and job insecurity.
With new contracts being prepared from April 1, the workers demanded that the current outsourcing model not be continued. They insisted that a permanent solution must be announced immediately to ensure fair wages and stability.
Nagaraju warned that the strike would continue until the government provides written assurance on their demands. He also said that workers play a crucial role in protecting wildlife and forests, especially during the summer season when fire risks and animal movement increase.
The protesters cautioned that any disruption in forest duties could lead to serious consequences during the heatwave period, and held senior officials responsible for the situation.
The strike has affected routine operations at Bandipur, and workers have urged the government to intervene quickly and resolve the long-standing issues faced by temporary forest staff across the state.
