Chennai Sanitary workers protest, promises given, actions pending

More than 500 sanitary workers from various districts staged a protest in Saidapet on Monday, demanding incentives for work during the COVID-19 pandemic, salary hikes, and other employment benefits. The protest was organized by the Tamil Nadu Rural Development Department Workers’ Union (TNRDLU) , representing sanitary workers and staff under the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.

The participants included Swachh Bharat Mission district and block coordinators, computer operators, health motivators, overhead tank operators, sanitation workers, cleanliness guards, school sanitation workers, social auditors, village panchayat computer operators, and women rural livelihood mission workers.

Following the protest, the government responded to the workers’ demands by accepting several key points and issuing written confirmation. Among the demands accepted were payment of COVID-19 incentives, wages as per the Minimum Wages Act, equal pay for equal work, special time-scale pay, ESI, PF, and FBF benefits, benefits equivalent to those provided to nutritious meal scheme employees, work reward pension schemes, and filling up of vacant posts for overhead tank operators and sanitation workers. Workers also insisted that those already employed in these roles be included in the recruitment process.

However, the question arises: what is the government’s response to the current protest itself? While the government has accepted many of the demands in principle and issued written confirmation, no formal Government Order has been issued yet , and implementation of the agreed measures has not begun. This has left the workers unconvinced, prompting them to continue their protest indefinitely.

TNRDLU General Secretary Krishnasami

stated that while the government had agreed to fulfil demands such as COVID-19 incentives and salary hikes, they have not yet been implemented. He added that a demand of Rs 12,000 had been made but not heeded, warning that an indefinite strike would be launched if the demands are not met. Krishnasami also alleged that cadres travelling from various districts to Chennai had been stopped by police, with some even placed under house arrest, and called for action against police for what was described as illegal detention and threats.

The protest highlights the ongoing struggle of rural development workers in Tamil Nadu to secure fair compensation and benefits for their crucial services, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Until a formal Government Order is issued and the demands are implemented, workers have signaled that their agitation will continue.