The Tripura Irregular Employees Forum observed a statewide ‘Black Day’ on Thursday demanding regularisation of jobs, employment security and equal pay for equal work. Irregular employees from various government departments participated in the protest by wearing black badges and tying black cloths over their mouths.

Speaking to the media, forum member Babul Acharya alleged that the previous government had introduced a policy for regularisation of irregular employees after completion of 10 years of service, but the policy was scrapped after the change of government in 2018. He claimed that no new regularisation policy has been introduced despite the passage of several years.

Acharya further alleged that before the 2018 Assembly elections, leaders of the present government had assured that irregular employees would be regularised within six months of coming to power. However, the promise has not been fulfilled even after several years, he claimed.

According to the forum, more than 35,000 irregular and casual employees are currently working in different government departments across the state, including around 9,500 employees in the Health Department.

Acharya, who has been working in the Health Department since 1998, said many employees are still receiving monthly salaries ranging between Rs 12,000 and Rs 15,000, which is insufficient to meet household expenses amid rising costs.

He urged Chief Minister Professor (Dr.) Manik Saha to take immediate steps regarding regularisation of jobs, ensuring employment security or implementing the principle of equal pay for equal work. He claimed that many employees have retired without receiving recognition as permanent workers.

The forum said that despite repeatedly raising their demands before successive governments, no permanent solution has been found. Representatives appealed to the government to initiate discussions and formulate a concrete policy to address the long-standing issues of irregular employees.