Biometric attendance system sparks dissent among workers

Sumit Hakhoo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 28

The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and about 2,500 safai karamcharis are heading for a major showdown over the plan to use a mobile biometric attendance system for sanitation workers.

Officials said with the approval of the mayor and 75 councillors, the JMC has introduced five MFS tabs to mark daily attendance of the workers but the workers’ union has decided to oppose the move.

They demanded that the corporation should first improve working conditions, regularise services of workers and fill 600 vacant posts.

“The JMC is harassing workers who are already working in difficult conditions without basic facilities. They have to work hard to remove 400 tonne of solid waste generated daily in the city,” said Rinku Gill, president, Civic Safai Karamchari Union.

Despite a massive expansion of Jammu city since 1990, the JMC is mostly dependent on casual labourers to keep the city clean. The union has demanded that as per the promise, casual workers should be regularised.

The union alleged that the new system could be used harass the workers. “Till now we don’t get regular offs and at times even have to work for seven days a week. We have no problem in cooperating but we should be allowed to take holidays,” said Tarsem, a sanitation worker.

When contacted, Deputy Mayor Purnima Sharma said the biometric system was aimed at streamlining the system. “It’s part of our effort to use technology for better management of manpower. Those who are opposing it should understand that it will improve functioning and bring accountability.” She said the system would be introduced by next week on a trial basis in some wards.

In the past week, senior JMC officials and union leaders have met several times to discuss the issue, but no common ground has been found so far.

‘Improve conditions’ 

• Officials said with the approval of the Mayor and 75 councillors, the JMC has introduced five MFS tabs to mark daily attendance of the workers but the workers’ union has decided to oppose the move
• The union demanded that the corporation should first improve working conditions, regularise services of workers and fill 600 vacant posts