Editor,

It is deeply concerning and disappointing that thousands of casual and contingency workers who have devoted more than two or three decades of their lives to public service continue to face injustice at the end of their careers without provision of work-charged or regularised option.

Many workers have joined government service and are working tirelessly and significantly for the functioning of various government departments. Despite their dedication and sacrifices, they are being compelled to retire on grounds of overage with only a meagre retirement benefit of approximately Rs 3 lakh under the Arunachal Karmayogi Samman Nidhi scheme.  Such an amount is grossly inadequate and fails to recognise over 20 years or more of continuous service to the people and the government.

Behind every casual worker is a family that depends on their income for survival. Their children have grown up with the hope that their parents’ sacrifices would one day be rewarded. Instead, these families now face uncertainty, financial hardship, and a sense of betrayal.

The government must remember that these workers were engaged as temporary but their commitment and work were not. They devoted their entire working lives to public service. Their sweat, dedication, and sacrifices helped keep government offices and essential public services functioning. They deserve recognition, fair compensation, and justice – not neglect at the end of their service.

This situation raises serious questions about the commitment of the government to protecting the welfare and dignity of the working class.

It is equally disappointing that labour and workers’ unions have remained largely silent on this issue. If these organisations truly represent the interests of workers, they must raise their voices and advocate fair treatment, adequate retirement benefits, and policy of reform for long-serving casual and contingency state government employees.

I urge the state government to immediately review the existing policy governing retirement benefits for casual and contingency workers. The present provisions contain serious anomalies that must be rectified. Workers who have dedicated the best years of their lives to public service deserve dignity, financial security, and recognition – not neglect.

This is not just an issue of money; it is an issue of humanity, dignity, and social justice. We appeal to the government, policymakers, and labour unions to stand with these long-serving workers and ensure that their decades of honest service are honoured with a fair and handsome compassionate settlement.

Justice for long-serving workers cannot be delayed any longer. The time to act is now.

Lodu Tame Param,

Dumporijo