Contract civic workers in Mangaluru are not receiving due benefits

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 03, 2018: National Commission for Safai Karamcharis member Jagadish Hiremani took Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) to task for not implementing the state government’s guidelines on serving breakfast for all Pourakarmikas (civic workers).

 

After a review meeting here, Hiremani told media persons that he will first go through the MCC’s seven-year contract with Antony Waste Handling Cell. “I want to verify whether the civic workers appointed are genuine or bogus. There are 591 civic workers working with Antony Waste Handling Cell,” he added.

The MCC has attributed to its seven years of contract with Antony Waste Handling Cell as a reason for not making direct payment to the civic workers. “I will speak to the principal secretary of Urban Development Department and direct him to make direct payment to the civic workers,” Hiremani said.

The services of 64 civic workers were regularised in 2006. Due to a technical problem, they continue as daily wage workers and have been deprived of benefits from the government. Of the 64 civic workers, 20 have already died. The authorities have been directed to regularise the services of the remaining civic workers immediately, he said.

Further, all urban local bodies (ULBs) have been serving breakfast to civic workers, including those hired on contract basis. The ULBs have been given an option of serving breakfast or to pay Rs 20 per day to a civic worker. In MCC, only permanent civic workers are paid Rs 20 per day. But the civic workers engaged on contract basis are neither paid nor served breakfast by MCC.

The MCC commissioner, when informed about the government’s guidelines, promised to float a tender on serving breakfast to all the civic workers. Even the process of regularising the services of civic workers has not been started. The authorities have promised to initiate the process according to the government’s orders, within a fortnight. The services of around 130 civic workers employed by Antony Waste Handling Cell, (firm entrusted for solid waste management), can be regularised, he said.

When informed that the government is regularising the services of civic workers who have passed SSLC in villages, Hiremani offered to speak with the government’s chief secretary and principal secretary of Urban Development Department on removing such clauses, like educational qualification. Despite the government’s direction to credit the salary directly into bank account of civic workers, the MCC has furnished an excuse for not making direct payments, he said.

Accommodation unsatisfactory :  Hiremani said that 32 houses constructed for civic workers in Mangaluru were unscientific. Despite clear specification from the government on constructing houses (plinth area between 700 square feet to 1,200 square feet), houses with 350 square feet are being constructed for the civic workers. “I have directed the commissioner to merge two houses and allocate it to a beneficiary so that they get 700 square feet house,” he explained.

The Central government is keen that all civic workers, including those on contract basis, should be provided under a housing scheme by 2020. Health care and safety equipment should be given to all. All should be covered under insurance scheme, including Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana. All the civic workers should get equal pay for equal work. The educational needs of the dependents should be taken care. If the dependents are above 18 years old, then they are eligible for a loan up to  Rs 20 lakh from National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation to take up self-employment, he said.