Chennai Corporation ropes in farm-hands for cleaning the city as workers continue protest

Chennai Corporation has roped in additional workers for launching a mass cleaning drive in Royapuram and Thiru Vi Ka Nagar zones owing to the protest by workers. Many farm hands from areas such as Vandavasi have started cleaning the streets.

“We have deployed 1000 additional workers to strengthen the mass cleaning drive. More workers will start cleaning the streets shortly,” said an official.

GCC has started a mass cleaning drive in various streets where garbage has accumulated owing to the protests. Chennai Corporation officials said more workers from the city will be deployed to clean the streets.  However, the protesting workers alleged that the private contractor of the GCC has roped in farm hands from areas such as Vandavasi to clean the streets as the protest is under way. “Over 100 farm hands from Vandavasi have started visiting the city to clean the streets every day in the morning, and returning home after 2 p.m. They get Rs.700 as wages per day. They used to get Rs.250 per day in their village for agricultural labour,” said the worker.

Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam founder T.T.V.Dhinakaran visited the workers and expressed solidarity with them.  Chennai Corporation in a press release on Tuesday urged the workers to resume work, pointing to the benefits and job security under the new private company. The workers who join the company will be eligible for PF, ESI, bonus, festival advance, financial assistance for marriage and education and insurance cover. The workers will get a financial assistance of Rs. 20000 for marriage, education advance of Rs.12000 and other financial assistance. The workers are eligible for 12 days casual leave, 12 days earned leave, double wages for national holidays. The workers will get safety gear and assistance under the welfare board. GCC will ensure 100% job security and welfare for all the workers who join the private company, the release said.