Karnataka: 40,000 pourakarmikas on indefinite strike for job permanency

More than 10,000 sanitation workers under the banner of the All India Central Councils of Trade Union (AICCTU), Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU), Karnataka Urban Local Body Outsource Employees Union, BBMP Workers Association, and Progressive Civil Workers Association were present at Freedom Park.

According to Karnataka Urban Local Body Outsource Employees Union president MB Nagamma, the state has 41,373 sanitation workers out of whom 12,387 are loaders and cleaners, while 752 are underground drainage helpers.

In Bengaluru, there are 16,516 sanitation workers in 198 wards of the city.

A total of 11,916 pourakarmikas out of 15,516 are contractual workers.

Demands

The pourakarmikas are demanding permanency at work, proper safety gear, and welfare measures like post-retirement benefits, maternity leave, education for children, and health insurance of at least ₹10 lakh.

“Sanitation workers have been duped several times by the government in the name of regularisation,” said MN Shriram, a former member of the Safai Karamchari Commission.

“The BBMP thrice — in 1992, 2014, and 2019 — called for recruitment on a permanent basis, but our condition has not changed,” he added.

‘Betrayal by government’

Sanitation worker Chennamma (centre) at the indefinite strike in Bengaluru. (South First/Saurav Kumar)

Chennammma, a sweeper, told South First, “I have been a sanitation worker for 20 years. I used bare hands to pick up garbage, including human waste. I am seeking permanent employment and dignity. The government has done nothing to raise our living standards.”

AICCTU national secretary Clifton D’Rozario told South First, “Every government in power ignored sanitation workers and their contribution. Except for a handful of workers employed on a permanent basis, most are either contract workers, or daily-wage workers.”

BBMP Pourakarmikara Sanghatane president Nirmala M considered the protest an inevitable way to safeguard the rights of sanitation workers.

“Despite decades of service, thousands are being paid a meagre amount of ₹14,000 with no benefits. They are forced to work under unsafe conditions without assurance of a pension when they reach retirement age,” she said.