Mangaluru: Gram Panchayat sanitation workers hold foot march, stage dharna over pending demands

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, December 9, 2025: Sanitation workers and women drivers of garbage collection vehicles working under various Gram Panchayats in Dakshina Kannada district held a foot march on Tuesday and staged a protest in front of the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat, urging authorities to fulfil their long-pending demands.

Under the leadership of the Dakshina Kannada District Civic Workers and Class IV Employees’ Union, the workers marched from the Press Club to the Zilla Panchayat office and staged a dharna, highlighting their grievances and pressing for action.

The workers demanded that sanitation workers and women drivers working under the Sanjeevini Consortium’s contractors be released from contract-based employment and recognised as direct Panchayat civic workers, with salaries paid directly by the Panchayat. They also urged regularisation of women labourers and vehicle drivers who have been working for several years in various Panchayats. Other demands included mandatory health check-ups, health cards, ESI and PF benefits, and provision of masks and gloves.

Anil Kumar, president of the Dakshina Kannada District Civic Workers and Class IV Employees’ Union, said that contractors under the Sanjeevini Consortium were exploiting workers from Scheduled Communities. He urged authorities to free these workers from the consortium’s pressure and appoint them directly under the Gram Panchayat. He stated that sanitation workers under the consortium receive only ₹300 per day and are deprived of basic labour rights such as minimum wages, ESI, PF, and safety gear like masks.

Labour leaders Prem Kumar Ballalvag, Panaje Gram Panchayat driver Pauline Monteiro, and prominent leaders Renuka (Beltangady), Akshata (Bantwal), Nayana (Sullia), Anitha (Moodbidri), Hema V. (Kadaba), and Chandravathi (Puttur) led the protest.