Cleanliness workers irate over low wages, irregular payment

CHENNAI: More than 38,000 workers are appointed across the State for mosquito-eradication and domestic breeding check on a daily-wage basis.

However, they allege that they are paid low wages (Rs 250-450/day), and even those are not paid on time.

“The daily wage varies with each district and salaries are delayed almost every month. Many workers from Dindigul have not received wages for more than eight months. The daily-wage system should be stopped. Many of us were not paid the COVID incentive also. We need employment with the health department and job security,” said K Jayavelu, president, Domestic Breeding Checkers and Mosquito Eradication Workers Association.

Workers demand a monthly salary of Rs 21,000 and an equal pay for equal work across the State. They requested officials of the State Health Department to grant job security as they were very often dismissed from the job when their inclusion in field work was not required.

“We’re working for the local bodies but the State Health Department implements these works of domestic breeding checks, fogging and other mosquito eradication activities. Daily wages are not fully paid, while many workers are also being asked to do tasks that are unrelated to the assigned works, such as housework, gardening, cooking, etc. We want our job roles to be defined and regularisation of pay,” said R Senthil, a domestic breeding check worker.