Conservancy workers demand regularisation

A large portion of city’s conservancy workers has been employed on a daily-wage basis – working long hours for more than a decade, without the option of regularisation and the benefits it brings. 

The workers who have been protesting for the last few years, took over the premises of Ripon Building, waiting for a dialogue with the Corporation officials, to gain clarity on talks of privatisation of conservancy operations. 

According to P Srinivasulu, General Secretary, Red Flag Union, which organised the protest, said that the Corporation officials asked for a month’s time to meet the workers’ demand when they held a similar protest in April. “But like every single time, nothing has materialised,” he added. 

The conservancy workers have been rattled by talks of privatisation of conservancy operations of all 15 zones. 

“We are employed on a day-wage basis and many times, are not paid on time. If we get hurt on the job or bitten by dogs, we are not allowed even a single day’s leave,” said Palani, a conservancy worker from zone 11. 

The protesters demanded better working conditions, regularisation and setting up of a minimum wage for un-regularised workers.