Date:31/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/31/stories/2005013102400500.htm

Karnataka

Pourakarmikas demand increase in wages

By Our Staff Correspondent

MYSORE, JAN. 30. Pourakarmikas across the State have threatened to strike work and launch an agitation if the State Government does not meet their demands immediately.

Speaking to presspersons here on Saturday, the former Mysore Mayor Narayan said that the members affiliated to the Karnataka State City Corporation, City Municipal Council and Town Municipal Council Pourakarmikas' Association will strike work seeking the implementation of their demands.

`Ill-treated'

He said: "Around 17,000 people are working on contract basis in various city corporations, taluk municipal councils and city municipal councils, who are being ill-treated in the name of privatisation of civic services. The Government should immediately consider their demands."

Opposing the privatisation of civic services, Mr. Narayan said that the pourakarmikas will be affected. Already, they have been deprived of minimum wages, retirement benefits, gratuity and other benefits. If the government fails to consider the demands of pourakarmikas, it will be forcing them into bonded labour, he said.

Hike in wages

Stating that the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, had raised the wages of pourakarmikas of Gulbarga to Rs. 4,000 a month, he said that the same should be extended to pourakarmikas working in other places.

Pointing out the pay disparity, Mr. Narayan said that in some civic bodies, pourakarmikas are getting a meagre salary of Rs. 1,200 a month. Keeping separate slab for men and women who are receiving Rs. 1,200 and Rs. 1,000 respectively, the government has a biased attitude, he alleged.

The Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, has assured to remove the disparity and meet other demands after the budget session, he claimed.

A State-wide agitation will be launched if the Government went back on the promise, he added.