Indefinite Strike by Bihar Rasoiyas

BIHAR rasoiyas have been on an indefinite strike since 7 January 2019 for a 15-point charter of demands, including minimum wages and regularisation, led by Bihar Rajya Vidyalaya Rasoiya Sangh (AICCTU), Bihar Rajya Vidyalaya Rasoiya Sangh (AITUC), Bihar Rajya Midday Meal Workers Union (CITU), and Bihar Rajya Madhyanha Bhojan Karmachari Union (AITUC).

The BRC was gheraoed from 7 January to 15 January. District HQs were gheraoed from 16 January to 21 January and memorandums were submitted to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister. Gherao of the Chief Minister and Mahapadav was organised at Patna on 23-24 January 2019. All these programs saw the enthusiastic and active participation of women in large numbers. Prior to the start of the strike, information of the strike was given on 28 December to the Chief Minister, Education Minister, and MDM Director. Instead of taking cognisance of the demands and considering them, orders were issued for alternative arrangements for midday meal preparation in schools even before the start of the strike. But this ploy was ineffective and the strike was successful in most Districts. Rasoiyas organised themselves into teams and went on foot or in vehicles to appeal for boycott of midday meal preparation. Inside schools, they received both cooperation as well as opposition from teachers; but the cooperation and support outweighed the opposition. Talks were held on 24 January with Joint Secretary Education and Midday Meal Program Director Shri Vinod Kumar who assured them that he would convey their demands to the government and asked them to wait for the presentation of the Budget on 1 February. Meanwhile on 29 January the Directorate issued a second letter directing the Rasoiyas to be removed and new Rasoiyas to be appointed. When even this had no effect, a third letter was issued on 2 January directing the names of Rasoiyas who do not return to work to be sent school-wise to the Director. Taking advantage of this, some teachers started intimidating and threatening the Rasoiyas. Indeed, some atmosphere of terror and fear did spread among the Rasoiyas but on the whole this only gave an added energy for the Chakka Jam announced to take place on 4 February.