Sanitation workers, security staff up in arms

Hyderabad: Around 8,000 contract sanitation workers and security staff are up in arms against Health department for not implementing G O No. 68 that benefits the workers. They are working at 25 government hospitals in the city.

With the strike notice issued by sanitation workers on July 15, 2015, Suresh Chanda, the then Principal Health Secretary send a memorandum to Director of Medical Education for implementation of G O No.68. On July 4, 2016, a meeting was held with all the superintendents of hospitals and principals of medical colleges in Hyderabad. At the meeting, it was decided to implement G O No. 68 and instructions were given to the outsourcing agency to issue identity cards to the sanitation workers and security staff who were on contract basis.

According to G O No 68 the government has to pay wages Rs 9,470 for contract sanitation workers. But they were paid Rs 5,500 to Rs 7,000. As per the G O, the workers would get Dearness Allowance (DA) for every six months and also leaves as per Contract Labour Act.Speaking to The Hans India, Narasimha, president, TS Medical Contract Employees and Workers Union, Hyderabad City Council (affiliated to AITUC) said, “Till date the decisions which were taken at the meeting were not implemented. The sanitation workers and the security staff conducted 10 to 15 agitations for the implementation of the Order. But there was no response from the officials.

The contract workers expressed fears that a new agreement would be completed soon for the removal of workers whose age is above 50 years.

A sanitation worker Nagamani (60) said, “I have been working at MNJ Cancer Hospital for the past 20 years. My starting salary was Rs 1,100, now I am getting Rs 7,500.With the salary, I have to purchase medicines and meet other expenses. How can the officials justify our removal? Is this the gift for working long years?” Hasina Begum of Niloufer Children Hospital said that they had not received their wages for the last two months.