Under the leadership of Union President Rekha Sharma, the Executive Committee of the Employees Union convened a meeting, addressing concerns about the Chandigarh Administration’s decision to allow the simultaneous operation of Anganwadi and Crèche services.
Administrator Banwari Lal Purohit asserted that there exists a significant disparity between the functions of Crèche and Anganwadi. He emphasised that a Crèche, with operating hours from 8:30 am to 5:45 pm and catering to children aged 6 months to 12 years, follows full-time employee pay scales and DC rates. In contrast, Anganwadi operates from 9 am to 3 pm, and its staff, classified as scheme workers, are involved in various tasks beyond childcare.
While Crèche staff exclusively manage their respective facilities, Anganwadi workers handle additional responsibilities such as creating maternity cards, providing protein to pregnant women, completing paperwork for widow, old age, and disabled pension schemes, distributing dry ration to children, maintaining records, and disseminating information about Social Welfare Department initiatives.
The administration’s decision to reduce employee salaries to Rs 5500 and Rs 3000 is met with surprise. Employees feel burdened by the additional workload imposed on them, turning their essential childcare role into a form of bonded labor. This situation has sparked significant discontent among the employees.
In response, the Employees Union has decided to express their dissatisfaction by burning the administration’s effigy on February 8, 2024, and planning a strike on February 16. This decision is a response to what is perceived as a dictatorial attitude by the administration.