The Aryavarth Express
Chennai: More than 500 sanitary workers from multiple districts gathered in Chennai’s Saidapet on Monday to protest, demanding pending COVID-19 incentives, a salary hike, and other employment-related benefits. The demonstration was organised by the Tamil Nadu Rural Development Department Workers’ Union, representing staff working under the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.
Participants included Swachh Bharat Mission district and block coordinators, computer operators, health motivators, overhead tank operators, sanitation workers, cleanliness guards, school sanitation staff, social auditors, village panchayat computer operators, and women rural livelihood mission workers.
Following the protest, the Union announced that the government had accepted several major demands and provided written assurance. The commitments include paying COVID-19 incentives, implementing wages as per the Minimum Wages Act, ensuring equal pay for equal work, granting special time-scale pay, and extending ESI, PF, and FBF benefits. The government has also agreed to provide benefits similar to those given to nutritious meal scheme workers, introduce a work reward pension scheme, and fill vacant posts for overhead tank operators and sanitation workers. Workers demanded that those currently employed in these roles be included in the recruitment process.
However, union members warned that protests will continue until a formal Government Order is issued.
Tamil Nadu Rural Development Labour Union (TNRDLU) General Secretary Krishnasami said that while the government has verbally agreed to the demands, implementation remains pending.
“We demanded a minimum salary of ₹12,000, but the government is not responding. If our demands are not met, we will launch an indefinite strike,” he stated.
He also alleged that workers travelling from various districts were stopped by police, with some reportedly placed under house arrest. “The government should take action against the police for illegal detention. The police are threatening us,” he claimed.
