Domestic breeding checkers to stage demonstration on December 7

Opposing the State government’s recent order imposing a fine of ₹200 on domestic breeding checkers (DBCs) if more than three dengue cases are reported in their area, DBCs plan to stage a demonstration at Chithode on December 7.

S. Chinnasamy of the Tamil Nadu DBC Workers’ Association said the order penalising the DBCs and cutting one day’s wage for more than three dengue cases in an area was unacceptable to the nearly 25,000 DBCs who are employed on a daily-wage basis in local bodies across the State. Dengue cases are rising and nine deaths were reported recently, he said.

He urged the government to revoke the order immediately, ensure continuous employment without suspending workers, and implement the minimum wages fixed by the government. There is shortage of workers in most local bodies, which increases the workload on existing staff. The government should appoint adequate manpower and pay minimum wages to the workers. The planned demonstration, he said, aims to draw attention to these demands and highlight the challenges faced by DBC workers across the State..