Bhubaneswar: Staff of 112 helpline call centre have ceased work and are staging a sit-in protest at Kaushala Bhawan in Bhubaneswar over 10-point demands.
Nearly 180 employees of the emergency call centre have been protesting since 6 am on Saturday, over alleged non-payment of salaries for the past five months, and other grievances.
Their demands include timely monthly salary disbursement with a hike from Rs 12,000 to Rs 30,000, regular crediting of EPF and ESI contributions, initiation of the process for regularisation of their jobs, rehiring of staff fired within the last year, proper shift timings. They have also demanded polite behaviour from superiors and removal of specific officials, including Deepak Nayak, whom they accuse of issuing threats over minor issues. “Our seniors have not held any discussion with us, though we have been sitting here since yesterday morning. We are demanding that Deepak Nayak sir be removed from this office. They should not threaten to fire us and demand explanation over small issues. Why have our salaries not been paid?,” one protestor told a local news channel.
The protestors have levelled serious accusations of exploitative working conditions and threats of termination from the company managing 112 Helpline. Oriental Security Service has been managing the call centre since 2022.
Mancheswar police are present at the spot to maintain law and order. “We are here to pacify the agitators and maintain security. They will discuss their demands with their higher authorities,” IIC of Mancheswar police station said.
