Hostel workers protest in Ballari over pending wages, demand revised pay

Hostel workers employed by the Social Welfare Department and the Department of Scheduled Tribes Welfare staged a protest on the Ballari Zilla Panchayat premises recently, demanding immediate payment of pending wages for August and September and the implementation of revised minimum wages.

The protest was organised under the leadership of the Karnataka State United Hostel Workers Union and the Karnataka State United Akshara Dasoha Workers Union, both affiliated with the All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC).

Following the protest, officials from the departments concerned received the workers memorandum and assured them that the pending wages will be released shortly.

Social Welfare Department Deputy Director Chidanandappa assured the protesters that the two months arrears will be paid by Tuesday. He also said that he will bring the issue of revised minimum wages to the attention of senior officials.

Scheduled Tribes Welfare Department district officer Saswi Mainuddin said that senior officials have issued directions to implement the revised wages and assured the workers that the arrears will be paid along with the revised wages.

Taluk Officer of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme Shivanayak said that the pending wages will be released within a week.

He added that the pending contribution from the Union government has been received and it will also be paid to the workers. Four months payments towards foodgrain expenses has already been released, he said and added that appropriate action will be taken if workers reported that they did not receive the amount.

He also assured them that headmasters will be instructed to ensure the payment of the amount meant for foodgrains.

The workers said head cooks, assistant cooks and watchmen employed in hostels run by the two departments performed demanding duties, including preparing and serving food to students and carrying out other essential work. Despite their services, they said, wages are not being paid on time.

“Although departmental instructions require wages to be paid by the fifth of every month, the deadline is not being followed frequently. Delayed payments has forced workers to borrow money to meet household expenses amid rising prices and increasing school and college fees,” AIUTUC district president A. Devadas said during the agitation.

The unions also demanded immediate implementation of the revised minimum wages notified by the State government on May 22, 2026.

“Although the Ballari Social Welfare Department has issued an order to implement the revised wages, it subsequently issued another order withholding the decision. The Scheduled Tribes Welfare Department has also not implemented the revision,” Hostel Workers Union district president Pramod said.

The unions also contended that a recent High Court interim order against the suspension of revised minimum wages in certain departments has removed the obstacles to implementation.

They urged the government and the departments concerned to extend the revised wages to hostel workers without further delay.

The protesters put forward three demands: 1) immediate payment of wages due for August and September, 2) implementation of revised minimum wages notified on May 22 earlier this year and 3) timely payment of wages by the fifth of every month.

Labour leaders G. Suresh, Muralikrishna, Chetan, Lakshmi Devi, Eshwaramma, Praveen, Sundar, Gangamma and Nageshaiah were among those who participated in the protest, along with workers.