Conservancy workers affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) took part in a sit-in protest at the Corporation Commissioner’s office, seeking revised pay here on Tuesday.
M. Balasubramaniam, general secretary, CITU, said that a new minimum wage for daily, contract and consolidated workers had been set at ₹16,275, according to a Government Order 2(D) No. 62, dated October 11, 2017.
The Commissioner of Municipal Administration issued a letter to all regions asking them to implement the G.O. on May 16 this year. The revised pay would provide ₹625 each day and ₹16,275 for the month to the workers. This would include conservancy workers, garbage collectors, animators, drainage workers, street light mechanics, pump mechanics, gardeners and watchmen.
The Corporation, however, continues to pay only a total of ₹320 for daily wage workers each day, (₹9600 a month) he said. “Since most people receive their salary only after the 10th of each month, we hope that the Corporation would comply with the G.O. and pay us our arrears before Deepavali,” he said.
After the protest, Deputy Commissioner P. Manivannan and officials from the Health and Revenue department, held talks with representatives of CITU.
“The officials have promised to provide us ₹500 each day as payment starting October and have told us that they will settle dues before Deepavali,” he said.