MARGAO
The Margao Municipal Council daily wage workers formed a human chain around the Municipal building on Monday to protest over the delay in reimbursement of the excess amount of provident fund deducted from their wages and to express their anguish over the treatment meted out to them by the civic body.
The human chain was also intended to send a message that daily wage workers are the people who maintain the city’s cleanliness and protect the civic body.
Wearing arm bands, the daily wage workers also demanded that the civic body regularise their service, who have put in long years of service, but have been receiving less payment and amenities compared to the full-time workers. They also demanded that the civic body provide their salary slips to make foolproof the salary payments and the provident fund and other deductions.
This is the second time in a month that the daily wage workers resorted to a protest to demand reimbursement of the illegally deducted provident fund amount. Last time round, the daily wage workers had gone on a flash strike before the Municipal Chairperson Babita Prabhudesai assured to undo the wrong done by the civic body. While the civic body has rectified the mistakes of deducting the provident fund amount of the employer’s contribution from the daily wage of the employees, the Municipality has been found wanting in reimbursing their excess deductions.
Convenor of Shadow Council for Margao, who has taken up their cause, Savio Coutinho informed that the human chain around the Municipal building signifies their hard work that helps in maintaining the city clean and the black bands around the arm’s mark their anguish towards the Council over how they are treated.
In the representation submitted to the Chief Officer, the daily wage workers have put forth a host of demands, including reimbursement of the illegal deductions amounting to Rs 48,000 of each of the workers.
They further demanded proper facilities, including protection gear since the daily wage workers work under the most unhygienic conditions, collecting and filling trucks with stinking waste from the city.
That many of them have been working with the council for last over 15 years, but have not been confirmed of their services in the process losing several benefits given to other fixed workers, including garbage allowance, medical allowance, weekly off, etc. Immediate steps should be initiated to complete the process of fixation of the eligible workers.
“Daily wage workers are made to work even on Sundays and public holidays, while the fixed workers are given holidays. And if they (fixed workers) work, they are paid overtime wages. Suitable incentives should be given to the worker’s in this regards,” he added.
