Civic workers demand minimum wages

Civic workers at Gram Panchayats in Kodagu district should be provided with minimum wages as fixed by the government, urged State Gram Panchayat Employees Association district committee president P R Bharat.

Addressing reporters on Wednesday, he said that more than 150 civic workers have been working in 104 Gram Panchayats in the district. But, they are being exploited by the contractors and are not provided with minimum wages.

The district administration should initiate proper action against the contractors for violation of rules and should ensure that the civic workers get minimum wages, he demanded.

As per the government regulations, the sanitation workers should be paid salary on a monthly basis. But the workers have not received their salary from the past several months. A memorandum has already been submitted to the deputy commissioner in this regard, said P R Bharat.

He further said that the Gram Panchayat workers are paid Rs 6,000 to 7,000 per month, after the deduction of PF and ESI.

"They should be provided with a salary of Rs 14,000. The civic workers who have retired after serving for 60 years have not been provided financial assistance during their retirement. Civic workers in urban areas are getting breakfast. But there is no such facility in the Gram Panchayats. There is no provision of uniform, gloves and footwear," he said.

Civil workers H R Manju and Veerabhadra were present.