Sanitation workers’ protest for job regularisation enters third month

The protestation by sanitation workers, which drew overmuch attraction successful August, picked up momentum connected Saturday astatine the Rajarathinam Stadium, wherever implicit hundreds of workers participated, demanding occupation regularisation and just wages.

Led by the Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam (UUI- Workers’ Rights Movement), and supported by the Labour Trade Union Centre (LTUC), the protesters called upon the Tamil Nadu authorities to cancel the privatisation of conservancy enactment successful Royapuram and Thiru.Vi.Ka Nagar Zones, marque sanitation workers’ jobs imperishable nether the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM), and guarantee occupation security.

Political parties, including the VCK and the CPI(M), extended enactment for the protestation that has continued for 3 months.

A. Jayaram, a idiosyncratic who took portion successful the protest, said, permanency would supply a dependable wage and assistance their children unafraid amended education. “The adjacent procreation request not beryllium progressive successful sanitation enactment if we person the wages promised nether NULM”. helium said.

Ariyamala, different worker, said galore of them were forced to instrumentality up secondary jobs to negociate household expenses. “I haven’t worked for 3 months, truthful nary salary. Rent and indebtedness backlogs are piling up. My husband’s net arsenic an autorickshaw operator are not enough. Our children survey successful Corporation schools, but erstwhile they participate college, paying fees volition beryllium a large challenge. The ruling enactment indispensable fulfil its 2021 promises,” she said.

Sangeetha, working nether NULM, said, “On July 29, caller uniforms for sanitation workers successful Zones V and VI were distributed to NULM workers. Just 2 days later, we were asked to articulation a backstage firm. Now, we are protesting successful those uniforms. We cleaned the metropolis during the COVID-19 lockdown, and floods. Yet, we are present asked to articulation a caller institution from the basal level. This is not fair. The authorities indispensable guarantee Job security,” she said.

R. Mohan, a subordinate of the UUI and LTUC, said different protestation was being planned for December 2, if the State does not reverse its determination to privatise conservancy operations.

K. Bharathi of UUI said that the adjacent signifier of the protestation would see a gathering with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, and Chennai Mayor R. Priya, to taxable a petition with demands.