Alumni Open Letter comes in support of Housekeeping Workers Strike

To

The Ashoka University Administration and Bluspring Enterprises Limited,

We, the undersigned – Alumni of Ashoka University – are concerned with the ongoing strike of the housekeeping staff at Ashoka University. We believe that the working conditions of these workers are exploitative and inhumane. Therefore, we demand that Bluspring and Ashoka University accede to the demands of the striking workers. We believe the democratic and constitutional rights of the workers must be safeguarded in the form of their right to protest and demand higher wages. We understand that Ashoka University is trying to pass the blame on to the primary employer, Bluspring, while whitewashing its own responsibility and patronizing these workers by calling them part of ‘Ashoka Family’. 

We are also appalled to know that two of the founders, Ashish Dhawan and Ajit Issac, hold shares in Quess Group, from which Bluspring was demerged last year. 

Demands of the undersigned Alumni:

1. All the demands of the striking workers – a minimum wage of Rs. 18,000, 10% annual increase, reinstatement of three dismissed workers and no victimization for striking – should be met. All these demands should be agreed to in a formal written agreement signed by Bluspring, Ashoka University and the workers.

2. All workers employed in Ashoka University through a contractor should be made permanent. The University should recruit workers through their pay-roll and end all forms of contractualization of workers in the University.

We appreciate the support of Ashoka students and the Ashoka University Student Government for the striking workers and The Edict for doing some phenomenal reportage about the strike.

This letter with 200+ signatories was shared by Ashoka alums with The Edict.