Cantonment Contract Workers Protest Over Pending September Salaries

Contract workers employed in various sub-areas under the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) held a protest outside the board office on Tuesday, demanding payment of their September salaries. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, the workers said they had celebrated Dasara without receiving their salaries and were now facing financial difficulties with Diwali approaching.

“How are we supposed to pay our house rents, school and college fees, and transportation expenses without our salaries,” a worker asked.

AITUC state general secretary M. Narasimha said the delay in salary payments violated labour regulations, which require wages to be paid by the seventh of every month. He demanded action against contractors who had allegedly failed to pay the workers on time.

Narasimha said that even two months after the new contractors took over, workers had not been provided with identity cards, appointment letters or the necessary work equipment. He urged the board authorities to intervene and ensure that workers received their dues. He said the Cantonment Board as the principal employer should ensure payment of wages if contractors failed to meet their obligations and take appropriate action against the agencies concerned.

Referring to the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, Narasimha demanded a bonus equivalent to one month's salary for all eligible contract workers. He alleged that the Cantonment Board management had given a written assurance at the Central Labour Commissioner's office to pay Diwali bonuses to all workers following a complaint by the union. However, the management had yet to act on the assurance, he said.

The union leaders said the failure to ensure timely wage payments to workers under the Cantonment Board was unfair and urged the authorities to take immediate steps to ensure regular payment of salaries in accordance with the rules.