JOIN USThe novel idea of employing women in the security set up and sanitation works at Deputy Commissioner’s Office complex in Udupi has resulted in ensuring livelihood source to around 21 depressed class women.
The employment area that was dominated by companies, which would outsource sanitation and security works on contract basis, was cracked down to guarantee social justice. The workers engaged in works were not paid regularly by companies, which would take them on contract, and the aggrieved workers quit jobs owing to irregular and paltry payments. Shortage of workers and negligence paved way for sinking toilets and untidy floors.
The entire Deputy Commissioner Office complex, was a mess until recently, which houses three structures. Thanks to the novel decision taken by the Deputy Commissioner to get rid of the contract system and in place, recruit directly the employers for the assigned jobs.
The concept has not only made sure hygienic conditions in the surrounding, simultaneously guaranteed a decent livelihood with security to a good number of women.
Deputy Commissioner Dr Vishal told Deccan Herald that the concept evolved to strengthen the women folks, besides cleanliness being the top priority. The companies that appointed the workers on contract would pay meager, besides irregular payment was another bane.
The payment was less than minimum wages and most of the time, it would be a sort of honorarium.
Problem of Commission
The other problem involved in the contract system is the commission, wherein sizeable amount of money would go to the person who supplies the work force.
The decision was taken with the modality of involving depressed class and offering financial support within a time bound manner.
He said he had tried out the idea in Chikballapur district during his serving period. The concept clicked and motivated him to introduce the same in Udupi. He added the concept would be expanded to all other government offices, he said.
The Stree Shakti Blocks were contacted to provide the workers. The Deputy Commissioner said that the employees were picked based on the scale of priority. The women were given prominence and next consideration was the women belonging to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes /Other Backward Communities. This ensures social justice, he adds. Of the total 21 women appointed for the purpose, 16 are assigned with the responsibility of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene.
As many as four are engaged in the security area and one is working as the lift operator. The district administration spends nearly Rs 99,000 monthly for the payment of these women. The 16 women who come for cleaning the complex work for four hours from morning 7 am to 11 am. They are paid Rs 4200 each for four hours.
The four security guards work on shift basis. Two each work for five hours. The timing includes 8 am to 1 pm and 1 pm to 6 pm.
These 20 women have the benefit of working elsewhere after the completion of their duty in Deputy Commissioner’s office.
The lift operator is paid Rs 6000 monthly, who works from 9 am to 6 pm. Besides the district, administration also pays Rs 9000 to Sthree Shakti Block, Udupi as service charges.
The Deputy Commissioner’s decision has come in as fresh lease of air in the suffocating ambiance of evil system of outsources and contract.
Dignity of labour and livelihood being the prime concern, the change certainly would guarantee employment to another bunch of destitute in the days to come.