The contract workers of Mysore Zoo have moved the Assistant Labour Commissioner's Court seeking regularisation of their jobs. A conciliatory meeting was held in that context on July 27.

However, Mysore Zoo Executive Director B.P. Ravi contends that the Zoo does not come under the Industries Act and contract workers cannot be regularised without the consent of the government.

Airing their grievances with Star of Mysore, Contract Workers Association Secretary Basavaraj claimed that they were looking after the animals in the Mysore Zoo for over 12 to 15 years but they have not been regularised with social and job security.

Giving his version, Ravi told SOM that the 88 contract workers who were outsourced hitherto were under the contract of the Mysore Zoo from Apr. 1 with all statutory benefits like PF, ESI and life insurance. However, he added that their contract was being renewed after every six months and further contended that their wages were three times of that being paid in other departments ranging from Rs. 6,500 to Rs. 10,000.

He said that a proposal had been sent to the government to frame a rule to regularise the services of contract workers who had served for 10 years. He has advised the workers to be patient and wait for the government approval.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore