Cuttack: Class-IV employees of Ravenshaw University here are living a wretched life in the absence of basic minimum remuneration and housing facilities, it is alleged.
The aggrieved employees have raised the issue with the Vice-Chancellor (VC) on several occasions but to no avail, sources said.
According to sources, at least 150 Class-IV employees have been engaged in 13 hostels of the university to look after hostel canteens, sanitation and security issues.
However, the university authorities are yet to provide them basic minimum remuneration as stipulated by the state government, sources said.
Protesting the injustice, the Class-IV employees had approached the state Labour court. After listening to all the parties concerned, the Labour court had directed the authorities of Ravenshaw University to provide basic minimum remuneration to the Class-IV employees. However, the university authorities are yet to comply with the court order, it is learnt.
Moreover, the university authorities have failed to provide proper housing facility to the employees concerned. Around 70 per cent Class-IV employees are residing in dilapidated houses while the remaining employees are yet to get any accommodation, sources said.
“We have been looking after sanitation, security and messing issues of hostels for last several years. But, we are yet to get the basic minimum remuneration. We have raised the issue with the Higher Education minister. The minister has assured us to discuss the issue with the VC,” said Prakash Dash, the president of Ravenshaw Hostel Employees’ Association.
Association secretary Gourahari Nayak, meanwhile, urged the university authorities to provide proper accommodation to Class-IV employees.
University registrar Ashok Kumar Dash said the remuneration issue is sub-judice and the authorities will soon look into the demands of the Class-IV employees.