Commission chairperson raises issues of sanitation workers

CHANDIGARH: Manhar Valjibhai Zala, chairperson of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis, today asked Chandigarh Municipal Corporation officials at a meeting here to provide safety kits to sanitation workers and also raised the issue of workers not being provided some benefits by Lions sanitation firm.

Manhar Valjibhai Zala, chairperson of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis, addresses a press conference in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune Photo: Ravi Kumar

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 17

Manhar Valjibhai Zala, chairperson of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis, today asked Chandigarh Municipal Corporation officials at a meeting here to provide safety kits to sanitation workers and also raised the issue of workers not being provided some benefits by Lions sanitation firm.

Manhar Valjibhai Zala also asked officers to look into the matter of releasing Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of two workers who died while working several years ago. Zala raised several other welfare-related demands of sanitation workers.

However, he said that he was unaware of the issue that most of the safai workers are often found missing at the designated place of work and their leaders are often accused of not turning up for work. Most of them are engaged at the houses of government officers.

Later, addressing a press conference, Zala said the average life of workers is around 50-55 years while others have average life expectancy of 70 years. They are like soldiers, who sacrifice their lives for the nation. In the form of cleaning the waste, they are also prone to die early, he said.

Swami Sadanand Maharaj, member of the National Commission, was also accompanying him among others. Zala demanded that those working under Lions sanitation firm in Southern areas are not getting full benefits and the officers have been asked to ensure they get the same.

He also told the media about the state of affairs of workers at the GMCH-32 where there are only 10 sanctioned posts of worker, but their total number is around 450.

“Everything should be as per government norms. They must be regularised,” he said.

He also touched upon “awas yojana” for sanitation workers as he said only 61 have been allotted houses while there are a large number of residences sanctioned for them.

The commission members told the officers to provide retrial benefits, leaves, safety kits and facility of loans to them.

Other demands

Manhar Valjibhai Zala, chairperson of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis, also asked officers to look into the matter of releasing Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of two workers who died while working several years ago. Zala raised several other welfare-related demands of sanitation workers.