Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, November 17

Safai karamcharis, sewer men and other sanitation workers, working as frontline warriors since the coronavirus pandemic began, have been waiting for the Municipal Corporation’s attention to get new masks and gloves.

A number of such workers were provided masks and gloves only once when the Covid-19 lockdown was announced and these had got damaged after a short period. Since then, the workers have been forced to buy protective gears on their own.

A safai karamchari said, “I have been working on a contract basis with the civic body. When the pandemic was announced, I had got one mask and a pair of gloves. The mask and gloves (which the MC had given) got torn after a short period. After that, I have not got any new mask or gloves from the MC. Though my monthly salary is low, I am forced to purchase mask and gloves by spending money from my pocket.”

A contractual sewer man said, “I had got a mask, gloves and a small bottle of sanitiser once months ago, but nobody provided us new mask or gloves after that. I was reusing the gloves and mask that were given by the MC. These had later got torn. Now, I spend from my pocket to buy new protective gears.”

It has also been seen that some sanitation workers do their job without wearing masks and gloves these days. Vijay Kumar of the Municipal Karamchari Sayunkt Committee Ludhiana said, “Some workers have however got these items twice. We appeal to the MC to take the required steps to provide new masks and gloves to all safai karamcharis, sewer men and others involved in sanitation works.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu said they would provide new masks and gloves to the sanitation workers soon.