Tripura Mid-Day Meal Workers Demand Four Months of Unpaid Wages

Agartala: Members of the Tripura Mid-Day Meal Workers Union, affiliated with the CITU, gathered outside the Education Department in Agartala on Wednesday. They staged a protest over four months of unpaid wages. The workers submitted a formal deputation detailing their struggle to meet basic needs while the state government keeps their money.

Union leaders report a rising workload due to a lack of new hires. They also criticized the low pay, which fails to account for their daily duties in schools. Workers noted that they perform extra tasks during festivals like Durga Puja without receiving any extra benefits or allowances. Union representatives alleged that the current BJP-led administration has stripped away entitlements that were available under the previous Left Front government.

The union also claimed the government is discriminating against employees connected to the CPI(M). One worker challenged the officials during the demonstration: "If our wages are withheld month after month, how are our families supposed to survive?"

Protesters are demanding the immediate release of four months of arrears, the hiring of more staff to handle the heavy workload, and an increase in total pay. They promised a larger, statewide agitation if the government ignores these demands.