GURUGRAM: Even after three men lost their lives while cleaning a sewerage line a month ago, the government does not seem to realise the significance of safety gears for sewage and sanitation workers. The authorities' apathy forced sanitation workers, who have been demanding safety equipment, to hold protest on Tuesday. They threatened to go on an indefinite strike if their demands were not met soon. According to members of Nagar Palika Karamchari Sangh, Haryana, sanitation workers are not provided masks, gloves and boots required to do the job, despite repeated requests and plaints.
"The nature of the work, especially for sewerage line cleaners, is extremely dangerous. Neither do they get the safety gear, nor the incentive allocated for doing a dangerous job," said Ram Singh Sarsa, senior vice president, Nagar Palika Karam Chari Sangh.
More than 100 workers took out a protest in front of the old MCG office on Tuesday morning and submitted their demands — payment of due wages on the rates fixed by the government — to MCG representatives.
"The workers aren't even getting the benefits under the Employ State Insurance and Provident Fund schemes, even though regular deductions are made from their salaries," said Sarsa.
Among other things, workers also alleged that they were not being paid equal wages for equal work. The union members have asked MCG officials to consider the demands and revert within 15 days, failing which the protesters would go on an indefinite strike. Notably, Gurgaon has around 3,000 sanitation workers under the corporation as of now. The MCG is in the process of adding more sanitation workers.
In October this year, three workers suffocated to death in a septic tank of an auto spare parts firm near Hero Honda Chowk. Their families were promised a compensation of Rs 22 lakhs, which they haven't received yet.
MCG officials could not be reached for a comment.
"The nature of the work, especially for sewerage line cleaners, is extremely dangerous. Neither do they get the safety gear, nor the incentive allocated for doing a dangerous job," said Ram Singh Sarsa, senior vice president, Nagar Palika Karam Chari Sangh.
More than 100 workers took out a protest in front of the old MCG office on Tuesday morning and submitted their demands — payment of due wages on the rates fixed by the government — to MCG representatives.
"The workers aren't even getting the benefits under the Employ State Insurance and Provident Fund schemes, even though regular deductions are made from their salaries," said Sarsa.
Among other things, workers also alleged that they were not being paid equal wages for equal work. The union members have asked MCG officials to consider the demands and revert within 15 days, failing which the protesters would go on an indefinite strike. Notably, Gurgaon has around 3,000 sanitation workers under the corporation as of now. The MCG is in the process of adding more sanitation workers.
In October this year, three workers suffocated to death in a septic tank of an auto spare parts firm near Hero Honda Chowk. Their families were promised a compensation of Rs 22 lakhs, which they haven't received yet.
MCG officials could not be reached for a comment.
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