Published On : Thu, Jul 21st, 2016

Minimum wages to other contract workers in NMC demanded

Advertisement

NMC logo
Nagpur:
In a classic case of step-motherly treatment, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) cocked a snook to thousands of contract (temporary) workers of other departments while bestowing minimum wages on around 5000 computer operators and aiwajdars (sanitation workers) at the same time. These “lucky” contractual workers are now being paid the minimum wages ranging between Rs 14,000 and Rs 18,000. However, other thousands of contract workers deployed in various other departments such as Star Bus, Security Guards, Enforcement Department (Anti-Encroachment), Electricity are being deprived of the minimum wages “deliberately.” This ‘step-motherly’ treatment by NMC is causing heartburns among the deprived class of workers.

Taking a serious cognizance of the issue, Congress Corporator Praful Gudadhe-Patil shot a letter to the Municipal Commissioner and ‘exposed’ the anomaly. “The deprived contract workers, around 5500 in number, are suffering a cumulative loss of Rs 4 crore per month on account of non-payment of minimum wages to them. And the loss figure is increasing day by day. Similarly, arrears of minimum wages to be paid from 24.2.2015 – Rs 1 lakh to each worker – are still not being paid. The total amount of arrears stands out at over Rs 100 crore,” the Congress Corporator stated.

“Rising inflation is taking a heavy toll of the contract workers who are being deprived of minimum wages. These workers are spending their lives in misery. Considering the menacing situation, the NMC Administration must resolve the issue at the earliest and provide justice to the poor workers,” Praful Gudadhe-Patil demanded in his letter to Municipal Commissioner.

The demands of Congress Corporator are as follows:
• Minimum wages must be paid to contract workers in accordance with the State Government Resolution dated 24.2.2015.
• Payment slips must be provided to the workers.
• Provident Fund slips and ESI cards must be issued to the workers.
• Weekly holiday with wages.
• Municipal Commissioner’s order (GAD/27/O) must be implemented in letter and spirit.

– Rajeev Ranjan Kushwaha ( rajeev.nagpurtoday@gmail.com )