Chennai Corporation staff seek monetary relief to victims’ kin, protest

Chennai

In a petition, P Srinivasalu, general secretary of Chennai Corporation Red Flag Union, said at least four workers had died since May 9, including a National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) daily wage labourer. “At least 300 workers have been infected. The civic body should provide monetary assistance announced by the government,” he said.

The government had issued an order providing Rs 2 lakh to government employees contracting the virus during prevention works and Rs 50 lakh to the workers who die.

The petition, which was handed over to joint commissioner (Health) Madhusudan Reddy, also said field-level officials were denying safety gear to the workers, and were asking them to bring their own masks and gloves. “The field officials should be directed to provide masks every day. Tiruvottiyur and Madhavaram zones stopped providing food, while the quality of food at Adyar and Sholinganallur is bad,” the union complained.

The union also demanded salary hike to the contract and temporary workers. “The civic body is giving Rs 379 per day based on an order by the District Collector. But the Corporation should follow the government order directing it to give Rs 624 per day,” the petition said.