Midday meal (MDM) workers in Punjab, most of whom are women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, are struggling to sustain themselves on meagre wages. Despite their critical role in ensuring schoolchildren receive nutritious meals, their plight remains largely unaddressed.
Paltry Wages and Rising Costs
MDM workers in Punjab earn just Rs 3,000 per month, a sum far below minimum wage standards. Many workers, like Meenu and Kiran, highlight the daily struggle of managing household expenses and affording basic necessities like food and milk. The rising cost of living has exacerbated their financial challenges.
i) Meenu, who earns Rs 100 a day, finds it difficult to feed her family.
ii) Kiran, whose husband is a daily wage laborer, often has to go without food when he doesn’t find work.
The workers demand a wage increase that aligns with labour norms, which stipulate a minimum wage of Rs 20,000 per month.
Working Conditions and Additional Burden
Apart from cooking and serving meals, MDM workers are required to clean kitchens and utensils. Some report being asked to stay at schools beyond their stipulated hours, allegedly at the insistence of school staff.
i) Manjit Kaur, a union leader, claims that workers in Punjab are paid less than half the minimum wage.
ii) In Haryana, MDM workers receive Rs 7,000 per month, still far below the Rs 26,000 demanded by unions.
The disparity in wages between states further highlights the need for uniformity and fair compensation.
Official Statements and Challenges
Ravinder Kaur, district education officer (elementary), states that MDM wages are determined by government policies. She asserts that many teachers bring their own lunches, reducing the need for additional cleaning work. However, workers argue that these justifications do not address the core issue of insufficient pay.
While some staff reportedly provide extra compensation for additional tasks, such practices are inconsistent and depend on individual agreements.
Union Demands and Advocacy
Unions like the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and MDM workers’ associations continue to advocate for better pay and improved working conditions. They emphasize the need for government intervention to ensure dignified livelihoods for those responsible for the nutrition of schoolchildren.
The struggle of MDM workers highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms to address wage disparities and improve their quality of life. (TOI)