Daily wager workers oppose poor work conditions

They are threatened if they seek higher wages; made to toil from 6 am to 9 pm

These workers solely depend on their wages, which is less than that fixed by the government. They neither have job security nor government facilities. They are now pleading the officials in the district administration to ensure justice is done to them.

There are more than 70 student hostels in the six taluks of the district and around 300 cooks work in these hostels on daily wage basis, with most of them working for the past 10 to 15 years.

“There is no additional allowance provided to the workers who toil from 6 am to 9 pm. They are also not given the overtime allowance for working on holidays,” B M Venkatesh, district unit president of the State Government Daily Wage Workers Federation, told Deccan Herald.
“We were getting Rs 300 a month each 15 years ago. We are presently getting Rs 3,030. Even though the government fixed Rs 4,000 in 1997, following protests, it was not implemented by our district administration,” say the daily wage workers.

“The social welfare department officers threaten us if we seek a hike in our wages,” they added.

“The district social welfare department is mulling over appointing people through the outsourcing system. It is holding talks with non-governmental organisations in this regard. If the officials go ahead with their plans, then we will be virtually thrown to the streets,” they say.

Indefinite stir
The dailywagers from the district have decided to go on an indefinite strike from November 24, under the banner of the State Government Daily Wage Workers’ Federation.

Hike in wages and dropping the move to outsource jobs are among the major demands of the protestors. The protests will be held in front of the office of the social welfare department in the city. “The protest will continue till all our demands are fulfilled,” say the protestors.