The ongoing agitation by more than 70,000 outsourcing employees in Odisha was raised in the State Legislative Assembly today, with Opposition Congress leaders accusing the BJP-led government of deliberately avoiding discussion to escape criticism.
During Zero Hour, Congress Legislature Party leader Ramchandra Kadam highlighted the plight of these workers, who are staging dharnas on the streets demanding regularisation, job security, and fair wages. “Over 70,000 outsourcing employees are sitting on the roads today. The government is not paying any heed to their demands,” Kadam said. He pointed out that the Congress had submitted an adjournment motion to discuss the issue, but the government rejected it, allegedly to avoid embarrassment.
Kadam criticised the working conditions of these educated youth and women employed through outsourcing in various government departments. “No EPF or GPF deductions are made for them. Their jobs have no permanence, and despite working more, they don’t receive commensurate salaries,” he added. He urged the government to take steps for permanent appointments and halt arbitrary terminations immediately.
Echoing similar concerns, Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati noted the harsh conditions under which these protesters, including many educated young men and women, are demonstrating in extreme heat. “They have been working for years, yet agencies promise Rs 20,000 salaries but pay only Rs 8,000. In these times of high inflation, sustaining families is extremely difficult,” Bahinipati said. He accused both the government and employing agencies of exploitation and arbitrary dismissals without cause.
Bahinipati recalled that during the previous session, BJP MLAs – including Babu Singh and others – had visited protest sites and held discussions. Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan had promised to set up a committee to address their grievances. “But no action has been taken so far,” he lamented. He also questioned why Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who had earlier promised to fight for these workers while in opposition, is now silent under the “double-engine” government.
Congress MLA Sofia Firdous also raised the issue, urging the government to fulfil the long-pending demands of these workers without further delay.
The protests by outsourcing employees have been ongoing for months, with demands centering on regularisation, social security benefits, fair pay, and an end to exploitative practices by agencies. The Congress’s sharp criticism in the Assembly highlights mounting political pressure on the government amid the continued street demonstrations.
