On 21 October 2024, the Dravidian model DMK government announced a bonus of up to ₹16,800 for TASMAC workers in the state, while it has overlooked the plight of cleanliness workers employed under contract with various private organizations. This neglect began in Coimbatore and has now spread to the Thoothukudi district, where workers gathered to protest outside the Collectorate building, demanding their rightful dues.
Thoothukudi Sanitation Workers Protest
Over 1,500 sanitation workers in Thoothukudi Corporation are employed on a contract basis through a private company. On 21 October 2024, hundreds of these workers, along with drivers, staged a sit-in protest in front of the Thoothukudi Municipal Corporation, organized by the Rural Development Local Government Employees Union. The protestors blocked the road, demanding the fulfillment of several key demands.
The workers were protesting for the daily wage of ₹725 for sanitation workers, ₹763 for drivers, and ₹725 for dengue prevention workers. They also called for the cancellation of the contract system in sanitation work and the permanent employment of all sanitation workers. Additionally, they sought an advance payment of ₹10,000 as Diwali bonus and a special ₹15,000 for work done during the Corona period.
The protest led to a disruption in cleanliness services across various parts of Thoothukudi city, with the Corporation’s gates being blocked and police forces stationed for security. In response to the protest, Municipal Corporation Mayor Jagan Periyasamy held immediate talks with the protesting workers and union representatives to discuss their demands. After the discussions, the workers dispersed.
Balasubramanian, the State General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Rural Development Local Government Employees Union, spoke to the media, stating, “More than a thousand contract workers are working in Thoothukudi. Their demands were submitted in writing 15 days ago, but no action was taken.” He added, “Currently, the workers are staging a waiting protest for Diwali bonuses and other demands. The protest was expected, but the authorities locked the doors to prevent the workers from entering. The Union strongly condemns this act.”
Coimbatore Sanitation Workers Protest For Fair Diwali Bonus And Better Working Conditions
Over 500 sanitation workers are employed on a contract basis with the Coimbatore Corporation. Recently, a petition was submitted to the Corporation administration by the unions representing these workers, urging them to take action and provide a Diwali bonus for the contractual workers.
On 18 October 2024, during negotiations at the Corporation office, it was reported that the private company contracting the sanitation workers had agreed to provide a ₹4,000 Diwali bonus. However, this offer was met with dissatisfaction, and workers staged a sit-in protest at the Corporation office on behalf of the Voice of Authority Federation. The protest ended after the police arrested several workers, and further negotiations were held.
Despite the resolution at that time, the issue resurfaced as more than 200 sanitation workers boycotted work and staged a protest in front of the Coimbatore District Commissioner’s office. The workers demanded that all sanitation staff employed by the Corporation be given a statutory bonus, rejecting the bonus amount set by the private company. They insisted that the bonus amount be determined through direct negotiations.
Additionally, the workers called for improvements in their working conditions, including weekly leave, ESI benefits, extra pay for additional work, and a cancellation of the contractor system. They proposed that the Corporation itself should directly oversee the cleaning work, instead of outsourcing it to private contractors.
(With Inputs From ETV Bharat)
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