Workers employed under Chennai Enviro Solutions Private Limited (CESPL), one of the private contractors handling waste management operations for the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), have alleged that they are routinely forced to pay monthly bribes, penalties for taking leave, and so-called “target shortfall charges” to supervisors.
As reported in The New Indian Express, workers across multiple wards operated by CESPL alleged that the practice was widespread and not confined to a single locality.
A sanitary worker identified as Sangeetha, whose name was changed in the report, alleged that she had been compelled to part with a significant portion of her monthly salary of ₹18,000 to supervisors. The mother of two claimed that while working in a ward near Ennore, supervisors demanded ₹1,000 every month from her. She alleged that after refusing to make the payment, she was transferred to another ward within a short period.
Sangeetha further alleged that in her current ward, she was paying nearly ₹3,000 every month to supervisors. According to her, ₹1,000 was allegedly collected in the name of “pacifying” independent engineers appointed by the corporation to inspect waste management operations carried out by contractors. She claimed that the remaining amount was paid to ensure she could continue working in the same area.
She alleged that workers were being accused of failing to meet daily collection targets of 400 kg of wet waste and 30 kg of plastic waste. Despite visiting all households, she claimed that achieving the targets was practically impossible. She further alleged that supervisors demanded money citing the shortfall in targets and that workers who resisted were threatened with transfers to distant wards or given additional workloads.
Sangeetha also claimed that when she once informed a unit officer about the issue, her supervisor immediately became aware of the complaint. Describing her financial struggles, she stated that ₹5,000 from her salary went towards house rent while another ₹5,000 was allegedly paid to supervisors, leaving her with only ₹8,000 to manage her family expenses, including caring for her two school-going daughters and alcoholic husband.
A 45-year-old worker from the Thiruvottiyur zone alleged that he did not face such issues while working under another contractor, Urbaser Sumeet, but was forced to start paying ₹1,000 every month after being shifted to CESPL operations. He claimed that workers were generally able to collect only around 200 kg of wet waste daily, and for the remaining uncollected quantity, supervisors allegedly imposed a weekly penalty of ₹140.
Another worker from Burma Nagar alleged that supervisors demanded an additional ₹300 for every leave day taken, despite the company already deducting salary for those days.
The issue gained wider attention following allegations made by Mariammal A., a 32-year-old sanitary worker from Ward 11, who lodged a police complaint accusing supervisors of assaulting her after she refused to pay money for taking leave.
Mariammal alleged that workers were already paying ₹2,000 every month to supervisors. She claimed that after taking four days of leave with prior intimation, supervisors demanded an additional ₹1,000 upon her return. According to her complaint, an argument broke out when she questioned the demand, following which she was allegedly assaulted and told not to return to work.
Following protests staged on Monday, Mariammal stated that zonal officials later assured her that she could resume work and that the supervisors involved in the incident would be removed from duty.
G. S. Sameeran, Commissioner of the Greater Chennai Corporation, told The New Indian Express that an inquiry would be conducted into the allegations. He stated that appropriate action would be taken based on workers’ feedback and added that police were already investigating Mariammal’s complaint.
A CESPL official reportedly stated that the company would look into the matter.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
