Sanitation workers in Karaikudi submitted a memorandum to the Minister, received assurance on their demands.
Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu Mineral Resources Minister D.K. Prabhu was presented with a memorandum by Corporation sanitation workers in Karaikudi, outlining several important demands for the workers. The minister listened attentively to the workers’ concerns and assured them that their demands would be considered positively. The meeting took place on Saturday at the KMC residential area in Karaikudi, Sivaganga district, where the minister was welcomed.
AITUC District Secretary A.K. Raja and Tamil Nadu Local Government Employees Federation State General Secretary P.L. Ramachandran were present to welcome Minister D.K. Prabhu. A detailed memorandum was submitted on behalf of the workers, covering several issues related to the service conditions and benefits of sanitation workers. Representatives of the organization informed the minister that there is no equal pay system between contract and permanent employees working in the Corporation, leading to discontent.
The memorandum’s main demand was that contract employees be paid the same as permanent employees. It was also demanded that the process of declaring contract employees as permanent employees be initiated. The employees also stated that they have been demanding equal pay for equal work for a long time, but no concrete decision has been taken on this matter.
The memorandum also drew attention to the state of resources related to cleaning work. The employees demanded that electric vehicles and other cleaning equipment be repaired and made available in better condition so that work can be carried out smoothly. They also stated that faulty equipment sometimes hampers work and puts additional pressure on the employees.
The employees also requested that they be provided with quality breakfast and other basic amenities. They stated that the lack of proper facilities during work impacts their efficiency. The memorandum also stated that any form of retaliatory action against employees should be prevented so that they can perform their duties without fear.
Another important demand was that the dog-catching function in the corporation should not be limited to just one person, but rather that transparency and order should be ensured in this work. Employees stated that there should be equal opportunity and proper management in such work.
Minister D.K. Prabhu listened carefully to all demands and assured the representatives that the government would seriously consider these issues. He stated that the employees’ problems would be addressed on a priority basis and appropriate steps would be taken after discussions with the concerned departments.
The organizations present expressed hope that the government would soon take concrete decisions to address the problems of sanitation workers, thereby improving their working conditions.
