The OGCEA members are holding a dharna at Lower PMG to protest the Odisha government’s contractual appointment policy.
Thousands of members of the Odisha Government Contractual Employees Association (OGCEA) staged a significant demonstration in Bhubaneswar on Sunday despite a heavy downpour.
The OGCEA members are holding a dharna at Lower PMG to protest the Odisha government’s contractual appointment policy. The association’s members urge that the state government repeal the 2013-enacted guidelines for contractual appointment.
According to the system, a contractual employee is hired after passing the required exam, which are examinations administered by OPSC. The employees claim that after six years they are hired as contractual government workers, giving them access to a meagre income in comparison to their regular peers.
“The six years of contractual service, for which the promotion is deferred by six years, are not included to the initial service time. Additionally, the contractual workers are not eligible for DA, HRA, or other benefits. The contractual employees suffer the most in such situations and amid the rising cost of necessities, according to a protester.
The establishment of a single norm for all government employees has also been sought by the Odisha Government Contractual Employees Association (OGCEA).
A senior association member stated, “We are requesting equal compensation for equal work because the contractual employees also work as the regular employees.”
Prasanta Patnaik 
amfnews