Delhi Zoo employees go on strike

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Delhi Zoo employees go on strike

Sharik Khan

 

Wednesday, August 23, 2006 (New Delhi):

 

 

The employees of the Delhi Zoo have gone on strike to protest a move

by the government to make the zoo more autonomous.

 

The strike has resulted in the death of six lions in the last two

weeks. Zoo authorities suspect that a virus was what killed them and

say they are doing all they can to try and save the other lions.

 

The employees say that while they feel sorry for the animals, they

have no option but to protest to highlight their own plight.

 

As all 175 employees are on a day long strike, there is a danger of

hunger and hygiene in the zoo.

 

Workers' concern

 

The workers are anxious about a government plan to make the

management more autonomous - a move they fear will result in job

losses.

 

" We cannot help it if the animals are suffering, we have no option

but to protest, " said, leader, Zoo Employees Union.

 

Choti Devi is one of the Delhi Zoo's oldest employees and for 28

years she has been cleaning the animal enclosures.

 

Over the years she says she has had to put in more hours as a result

of job cuts at the zoo. She claims that initially there were 350

employees but now there are only 175 - a figure that can fall

further.

 

" People who have retired or died have not been replaced, so there is

a labour shortage, " said Choti Devi.

 

The government insists that the proposal to make the zoo autonomous

is aimed at improving conditions and while the employees are clearly

unhappy, the protest to put pressure on the government will end up

affecting the animals housed in the zoo.