Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has taken a hard stance against potential labor unrest by issuing two strict orders. First, the state has placed a six-month ban on all strikes in government departments. Second, it has enforced a “no work, no pay” rule specifically for UPNL staff.
UPNL, short for Uttarakhand Purva Sainik Kalyan Nigam Ltd, employs thousands of outsourced workers in different government departments. These workers have been demanding regularisation — that means they want to become permanent employees with proper job security.
UPNL employee who does not come to work will not be paid
According to the government’s orders, any UPNL employee who does not come to work will not be paid. The Personnel Secretary, Shailesh Bagauli, and the Welfare Secretary, Deependra Kumar Choudhary, issued these orders on Wednesday. The rule applies not only to permanent UPNL workers but also to outsourced staff working under UPNL in various offices.
The strike ban is being enforced under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (1966). The government says this step is necessary to prevent disruption in vital public services. With protests already growing, officials say they want to make sure that important services continue without interruption.
Supreme Court and high court asked the govt to regularize UPNL staff
UPNL workers are unhappy because many of them have worked under this scheme for years — some even for 15–20 years, according to reports. They are not just asking for regularization; they also point to court orders. Courts, including the Uttarakhand High Court and the Supreme Court, have asked the government to regularize UPNL staff and give them the same pay as regular state employees.
UPNL employees say the “no work, no pay” policy and the strike ban are attempts to silence their ongoing movement. These workers recently organized gate meetings across the state. They threatened an indefinite strike starting November 10 — but now, with the government’s new orders, their options are limited.
Govt made a political calculation
At the same time, the government has made a political calculation: this is an election year. Employee unions had raised their demands ahead of the elections, and the government’s stiff response suggests it wants to avoid large-scale protests.
On the legal side, UPNL workers are pushing hard. Some have filed a contempt of court petition, claiming that the government continues to ignore court orders for their regularisation. Meanwhile, the government has formed high-level committees to work on these long-standing issues.
The new orders have increased tension. The UPNL staff say they feel trapped — caught between their decades-old demands and the government’s clampdown. As protests simmer, many are watching closely: Will the government offer a way out, or will the labor unrest deepen?