The Hindu 06.08.2013
Upgraded status, better pay for sewage cleaners
The Delhi Cabinet on Monday decided to upgrade the
status of workers engaged in de-silting and cleaning of sewer lines by
changing the designation of these workers and granting them increased
pay. The workers engaged in cleaning sewer lines manually will now be
termed as semi-skilled workers instead of unskilled workers and will get
the minimum wages of Rs. 8,528 per month instead of Rs. 7,722 per
month. Those engaged in mechanical cleaning will be termed as skilled
instead of unskilled workers and will be paid Rs. 9,386 per month
instead of Rs. 7,722 per month.
Delhi Chief Minister
Sheila Dikshit, who chaired the meeting, said the Cabinet decided to
upgrade the status of workers under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, on the
request of the Delhi Commission for Safai Karamcharis. She said her
Government has given sympathetic consideration to the demand given the
difficult condition these workers work in.
Sanitation
workers in the Capital have for years expressed their displeasure with
the way they are treated and have often complained that they have had to
work without any protection gear such as gloves, boots and masks. They
have also complained about being employed on contractual basis despite
working for several decades. “We don’t even get our salaries on time,”
said one worker. Several workers’ unions in the city have been pressing
the authorities for salary hikes, regularisation of employment and
medical facilities.
