Contractualism is a big sin against educated society. It is not merely a policy of employment; it is a system that has silently destroyed the lives, hopes, and dignity of millions of qualified people. Behind every contractual employee stands a story of struggle, sacrifice, and disappointment. What appears on paper as a “temporary arrangement” has in reality become a lifelong punishment for an entire generation. We have lost our precious 35 years of life under this unjust system. From early childhood, we were taught that education is the key to success. We spent our youth in classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and examination halls. We followed every rule, after decades of hard work, we are still standing at the same point — unemployed, underpaid, insecure, and forgotten. When we talk about studies with students, they ask us a painful and humiliating question: “What did you do after achieving your PhD?” This single question exposes the cruelty of the system. How can we motivate students when our own lives reflect failure, not because of lack of ability, but because of lack of opportunity? How can we preach hope when the system has crushed our own hopes? Our words lose meaning, and our degrees lose value.
Contractualism has created a class of educated workers who are permanently temporary. We are employed, yet unemployed. We work, yet we have no security. We teach, research, administer, and serve institutions, but we are treated as disposable. At any moment, our contracts can be terminated. We have no pension, no promotion, no stability, and often no respect. The most painful impact of contractualism is not economic; it is emotional and psychological. Our children suffer because of our unemployment and insecurity. We cannot provide them with a stable future. We struggle to pay school fees, medical bills, rent, and basic household expenses. We are unable to plan long-term goals such as buying a house, saving for education, or even arranging marriages. Our children grow up watching their parents live in constant stress, fear, and uncertainty. Our families torture us emotionally because we are unemployed or underemployed. Society measures a person’s worth by their job title and salary. Relatives, neighbours’, and even friends constantly ask questions that hurt deeply: “You studied so much, but what are you doing now?” “Why don’t you have a permanent job yet?” “What was the use of your PhD?” These questions slowly destroy self-confidence and self-respect. The educated person becomes a subject of pity instead of pride.
Contractualism has also damaged mental health. Depression, anxiety, frustration, and a sense of failure are common among contractual employees. Many suffer silently, hiding their pain behind smiles and excuses. Some lose motivation completely. Some leave academia and research, not because they lack passion, but because the system offers no future. Some even fall into severe psychological problems due to prolonged stress and social humiliation. The irony is that contractual employees are often more qualified and more experienced than regular employees. They handle the same workload, sometimes even more. They teach the same students, conduct the same research, perform the same administrative duties, but receive half the salary and zero security. This is not just exploitation; it is discrimination within the same institution. A nation that exploits its educated workforce cannot progress. Education is the backbone of development. Teachers, researchers, doctors, engineers, and scholars are the builders of society. If they are treated as temporary and replaceable, how can a nation expect quality education, innovation, and growth?
Contractualism also discourages future generations. When students see highly educated people struggling for survival, they lose faith in education. They begin to believe that hard work and merit have no value. This leads to brain drain, where talented individuals leave the country in search of dignity and stability abroad. The nation loses its best minds, not because they want luxury, but because they want respect and security. The government must think seriously about this crisis. Employment policies should not be based only on saving money or avoiding long-term responsibility. They must be based on human dignity, social justice, and national interest. A secure job policy is not a demand for luxury it is a demand for basic rights. After spending our productive years in education and contractual work, we are now considered overaged for most employment opportunities. A person who has served an institution for 10, 15, or even 20 years should never be treated as a temporary worker. Such long service reflects loyalty, competence, and commitment. Ignoring this reality is not merely injustice; it is a moral failure of the system.
Contractualism has also weakened institutions themselves. When employees are insecure, they cannot give their best. Fear of termination kills creativity, innovation, and critical thinking. People stop questioning, stop improving, and start merely surviving. Institutions become stagnant, and quality declines. We must understand that unemployment and job insecurity are not personal failures they are policy failures. The problem is not that people are unqualified, but that the system is unjust. The problem is not that people are lazy, but that the system offers no stable path forward. Our struggle is not for charity. It is for recognition of our contribution. It is for dignity after decades of service. It is for a future where education truly leads to security, not suffering.
Contractualism is a big sin because it wastes human potential. It turns scholars into beggars of opportunities. It transforms dreams into disappointments. It converts years of education into years of regret. The government must:
Regularize long-serving contractual employees.
Provide equal pay for equal work.
Ensure job security and social protection.
Create transparent and fair recruitment systems.
Recognize experience and qualifications in promotions.
We demand age relaxation for contractual employee.
We do not want sympathy. We want justice. We do not want temporary solutions. We want permanent policies. We do not want to be called “contractual employees” forever. We want to be called respected professionals, contributing members of society, and secure citizens of our nation. The government must act now. A secure job policy is not just an economic necessity; it is a social and moral responsibility. If a nation fails to protect its educated citizens, it fails its own future.
Dr Urfan Ahmad
Inderkote Sumbal Sonawari
Working as Assistant Prof Deptt. Of Higher Education
Jammu and Kashmir
Presently working in GDC Paloura Jammu
