An FIR has been filed against five identified workers and 200 unidentified workers of the Uttar Pradesh Dial 112 Helpline on November 8, for allegedly blocking roads and rioting despite prohibitory orders. The women contract workers of the helpline service had been protesting for the past two days, demanding better working conditions and a salary hike.
Police alleged that the women contract workers were obstructing roads in spite of orders and Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure being in place there. The Lucknow police had to use force to stop the protestors. Videos of several protestors resisting the Lucknow Police from taking them away started doing the rounds on social media, through which the police were able to identify the booked protestors.
The protestors are charged under Indian Penal Code Sections 147 (rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly), 188 (Disobedience to an order lawfully promulgated by a public servant), 283 (Danger or obstruction), and 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint).
Why Are The Dial 112 Workers Protesting?
The contractual workers of the Diall 112 Helpline Service began their protest on November 6, three days after the Uttar Pradesh Police's contract with TechMahindra was replaced by a new contract with WeWin, a company offering calling-based solutions. The workers protested over the risk of job loss due to this change in outsourcing companies.
They made four demands for a conducive work environment- a hike in their salary from Rs. 12,000 to Rs.18,000, weekly leave, paid leaves twice a month, and job security. The protestors spoke to the media and alleged that there has been no increment in their salary for the last seven years and that they have not been working without issuing an appointment letter.
Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who had launched the Dial 112 service in Uttar Pradesh criticised the ruling party for their negligence of the contractual workers.
SP leader Juhie Singh also arrived at the protest location, to support the workers in their fight.
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