Various associations of West Bengal government employees, united under Sangrami Joutho Mancha, have launched a work stoppage to protest the state government’s delay in disbursing Dearness Allowance (DA). The government workers are dissatisfied with the lack of action regarding the payment of 25% of DA arrears from 2008 to 2019 by March 31, as mandated by the Supreme Court. The Joint Movement Forum accuses the state government of ignoring the court’s directive and seeking an extension until December to fulfill the payment.
The convener of the Joint Movement Forum, Bhaskar Ghosh, stated that the state government’s inaction has led them to call for a complete work stoppage. The strike includes not only direct state government employees but also teachers from state-run schools, employees of various autonomous bodies, and state government undertakings. Ghosh emphasized that this strike would be significant, marking a historical event not seen in the past fifteen years.
Despite the strike, the state government is taking measures to prevent it. An official notification has been issued, making employee attendance mandatory on the day of the strike. The government has prohibited the granting of Casual Leave or any other absence-related leave on the strike day, except for specific cases like hospitalization, family bereavement, severe illness, or pre-approved leaves. Absences without valid reasons will result in no salary for that day and may lead to disciplinary actions against the employees.
