Tensions boiled over at the Labour Commissioner’s office as retrenched Group-D employees under the Odisha Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board staged an indefinite, day-and-night sit-in demonstration demanding their immediate reinstatement.
The protesting workers, backed by the trade union, are fighting against what they describe as an unjust and arbitrary decision to terminate their service contracts. These outsourcing employees have served in central and district offices under the Labour Department for over 17 years, contributing significantly to application processing and core departmental administrative functions.
The controversy erupted following a directive ordering service providers to release all working employees with retroactive effect. Protesters have strongly condemned the backdated termination orders—effective from May 14, 2026—labelling them unfair, irrational, and legally untenable.
“Unceremoniously throwing out staff with over 17 years of experience under the guise of implementing a new tender system is unacceptable,” stated union representatives. They argued that structural or process changes should not come at the expense of rendering long-serving workers suddenly unemployed.
The union and affected employees have appealed to the Minister of Labour & ESI Department, senior departmental authorities, the Secretary of the Construction Workers’ Welfare Board, and the Labour Commissioner to intervene immediately. Their primary demands include:
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Immediate withdrawal of the termination directives issued to service providers.
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Uninterrupted continuation of services for all affected staff.
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Protection against job loss without due legal process and valid justification.
Union leaders Kamalendra Samantaray, Reheman, and Kishan Kumar warned that the democratic agitation will continue unabated until their legitimate demands are met and their livelihoods are fully protected.
