Contract civic workers threaten strike

Pourakarmikas working on a contract basis for the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike has threatened to go on indefinite strike demanding payment of their salary arrears.

Of the nearly 19,000 pourakarmikas working on a contract basis, only 4,000 have received their salaries in the last four months, The civic staff working in the areas of Jayanagar, Wilson Garden, Kumaraswamy Layout and West zone have not been getting their salaries regularly, said N Muniraju,  the   president  of the BBMP Contract Pourakarmikas Union.

“The Palike is worried about clearing the garbage but they are least bothered about the workers who toil day and night to keep the City clean,” Muniraju said.

The members of the Union said that they have approached BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah and Mayor D Venkatesh Murthy over the issue already. In spite of assurances, no action has been initiated to pay the contractors.

“Every time we met them, they say that they do not have money and are running out of funds,” said a member of the Union. BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah was unavailable for comment.