JNU Contract Workers Protest Alleging Widespread Corruption and Rights Violations

NEW DELHI: Hundreds of contract workers at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) held a protest march to the office of the Dean of Students, alleging severe corruption, the denial of legally mandated bonuses, and unfair salary deductions through a newly implemented biometric attendance system.

The protest highlights serious allegations of extortion involving university and contractor officials. According to a statement released by the workers' union, JNU’s Sanitation Inspector, Mr. Saurabh, along with representatives of the contractor firm Rakshak Securitas Pvt Ltd—Mr. Salik Ahmad (Manager) and Mr. Girish Kumar (Field Officer)—are accused of extorting money from workers in exchange for employment. The press release claims at least ten sanitation workers were each required to pay sums of ₹50,000 to secure a job.

The statement further alleges that the Vasant Kunj Police station has been notified of the complaint, but claims the JNU administration has yet to initiate action against the accused.

In addition to the corruption charges, the workers are protesting two other major issues:

1. Denial of Bonus: Workers state they are being denied their statutory bonus, which is mandated by the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965. The act guarantees a minimum bonus equivalent to 8.33% of an employee's salary.

2. Biometric Attendance System: The introduction of a biometric attendance system is being blamed for what the workers call a "systematic theft" of their salaries. They claim the system is under-reporting their attendance, leading to illegal pay cuts.

The workers have submitted a formal letter to the Dean of Students with a clear set of demands. These include:

• An independent and impartial enquiry into the extortion allegations.

• The immediate termination of the contract with Rakshak Securitas Pvt Ltd.

• The suspension of the officials accused pending the enquiry.

• The implementation of a transparent and just recruitment policy.

• The full restitution of any extorted money to the affected workers.

• The immediate disbursal of the legally mandated bonus.

• The revocation of the biometric attendance system and reimbursement for unfair salary deductions.

The workers' union, which is affiliated with the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), has resolved to intensify its struggle until the demands are met. The union warned of a potential work boycott, referencing a similar action in 2024 that they state successfully stalled the functioning of the university.