Call for Rs 10 lakh life insurance cover for sanitation workers

M Venkatesan, Chairman of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis, chaired a meeting and emphasised the need for a Rs 10 lakh life insurance for all sanitation workers to support their families in case of an unfortunate event.

He urged departmental officers and outsourcing agencies to ensure sanitation workers receive basic facilities, appropriate wages, provident fund (EPF), and improved working conditions. He also stressed the importance of issuing identity cards containing EPF, ESI numbers, blood group, emergency contacts, and insurance details.

Under the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC), he informed that sanitation workers could avail loans up to Rs 50 lakh with subsidies for purchasing sanitation-related equipment and vehicles. He directed authorities to conduct awareness camps to inform workers about these benefits.

Venkatesan also insisted that workers must receive paid leave, uniforms, shoes, cleaning kits, annual health checkups, and bonuses. He called for setting up a grievance redressal committee at workplaces to address concerns, including preventing sexual harassment.

The Chairman engaged with sanitation workers and union leaders to understand their issues and instructed officials to address them. He encouraged workers to reach out to the Commission at 01124648924 for any complaints.