CHENNAI: Garbage clearance in Chennai came to a standstill on Friday as more than 3,000 conservancy and sanitary workers of Chennai corporation thronged the Ripon Buildings, protesting against privatisation of conservancy jobs.
The protesters demanded that the corporation fill the existing vacancies in conservancy activities, regularise temporary workers and pay salary dues to workers enrolled under the Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY). The workers also blocked the mayor’s car while it was entering the Ripon Buildings and demanded immediate action.
“I am in this job for more than 30 years, but till now I have no job security and my family’s situation is at risk any time,” said Siruvamani, a conservancy worker, weeping outside the mayor’s office.
A malaria worker, R. Nazir, said for more than two months, the SJSRY workers had not been paid their salaries. “I have four younger brothers who go to school. My family is depending on me. I have been working for nothing for the past two months,” he said.
The corporation is planning to privatise conservancy work in 12 zones. Besides, it is replacing the old workers with new labourers under the Swarna Jayanthi scheme. “This must be stopped,” said N. Krishnamoorthy, vice-president of the Red Flag Union, a union representing corporation workers.
“The new workers are recruited in connivance with the ward councillors and engineers. It's the poor workers who are at the receiving end,” he said.
The protest was called off after mayor Saidai S. Duraisamy intervened and assured action on their demands.
“The mayor has assured that he will meet our demands as soon as possible. We have also been instructed to report to the mayor in case of any malpractice in recruitment,” said R. Devaraj, vice-secretary of the Red Flag Union.
