Date:04/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/04/stories/2009010457630300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

Solution to striking sanitation workers’ problems demanded

Special Correspondent

VISAKHAPATNAM : District unit president of CITU A. Ajay Sarma and president of GVMC Employees Union P. Venkates Reddy on Saturday demanded a solution to the striking sanitation workers’ problems through discussion with union leaders, asserting that unilateral action and threats by the authorities would not have any impact.

On the contrary such threats would aggravate the problem.

Speaking to media persons, the union leaders said the contract workers demand was just.

They were only asking for the implementations of GO which mandated payment of minimum wages to the workers.

The efforts of authorities to recruit new workers would amount to unfair practice under the provisions of Industrial Disputes Act. Because of the strike by about 5,200 contract workers, people were put to hardship, the union leaders said.

Permanent workers of the GVMC, however, were attending to their duties.