A group of sanitation workers organized a sit-in protest at the Villupuram Municipal Office, calling for the release of long-pending welfare funds.
Villupuram Municipality employs 97 permanent sanitation workers across its 42 wards. A portion of their salaries is regularly deducted for future welfare benefits, which are typically disbursed twice a year. However, on 18 June 2025, around 11:00 a.m, the workers gathered at the Municipal Office in a sudden protest, accusing officials of mishandling their welfare contributions.
Speaking to reporters, one of the women sanitation workers said with frustration, “The officials have misappropriated ₹12 crore by involving and using a man named Vinith, who has no role here. We’ve been working here for 20 years, but they’ve never shown us any accounts— there is nothing other than salary. If we ask for accounts, they do not give us. They are enslaving us. They are not providing us slippers, gloves, and not even soap, they are simply enslaving us. We need immediate action. They should be held accountable. Even after 20 years, they won’t show us how much we have in our PF. We do not have PF. The officials are enslaving us saying we don’t work, that only contractors do. The contract should be stopped.”
12 கோடியை தூக்கிய அதிகாரிகள்..? எந்த கணக்கும் இல்ல..? பாதுகாப்பு உபகரணங்கள் கூட தரல..? போராட்டத்தில் குதித்த தூய்மை பணியாளர்கள்..!#Villupuram #Frontlineworkers #Protest #CorporationOffice #Dharna #TamilNews #NewsTamil #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/7jVa5ZRpja
— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) June 18, 2025
Upon being alerted, Villupuram West Police arrived at the scene and initiated dialogue with the protestors. The workers explained that they were in financial distress as the welfare funds had not been released for the past three years. Despite repeatedly submitting petitions to the municipal administration, they claimed no steps had been taken to resolve the issue. Protesters chanted slogans, demanding the immediate release of the funds owed to them.
Municipal Officer Sripriya addressed the protestors, assuring them that she would consult with senior municipal authorities and expedite the disbursement process. Following this assurance, the sanitation workers ended their protest and peacefully dispersed.
(With inputs from Dinamalar)
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