A severe garbage crisis is looming over the city as more than 4,000 pourakarmikas began an indefinite strike on Monday.
They are seeking regularisation of services and abolition of contracts. In the interim, they want salaries credited directly into their bank accounts. They say they are now at the mercy of contractors who don’t pay them regularly.
The statewide strike is backed by the All India Central Council of Trade Union. Government records say 32,000 pourakarmikas work in Bengaluru, of whom only 4,000 are permanent BBMP employees. More pourakarmikas are likely to join the protests on Tuesday.
Three months overdue
Narayan, chairman of the Karnataka State Safai Karmachari Commission, said the Cabinet had in 2016 decided to regularise services of pourakarmikas by March 2017.
“Three months have passed since the deadline, but no action is in sight,” he said. “About 45,000 workers across the state are waiting.”
Narayan and another representative, S Balan, had met K J George, minister for Bengaluru development, and Roshan , minister for urban development, on Friday.
George suggested the distribution of wages through 190 cooperative societies, but the workers rejected the offer.
Some pourakarmikas said they would camp at Bannappa Park till their demands were met. Although BBMP Commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad told DH the problem would be resolved soon, no government official has visited the protesters.
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