Gadwal: The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has urged the government to immediately pay three months’ overdue wages to sanitation workers in government schools. On Monday, CITU district vice president Upper Narasimha led a protest at the District Collector’s office and submitted an appeal.
Narasimha highlighted that these workers, essential for school hygiene and student health, have not received pay for three months. “How can they support their families without regular income?” he asked.
He pointed out that wages were being funneled through women’s self-help groups instead of directly into workers’ bank accounts. This has led to banks seizing their pay when these groups default on loans. Narasimha also alleged that some AAP chairpersons were demanding cuts from workers, withholding payments from those who refused.
He noted that last year, workers were only paid for eight months, despite working the entire year. Some headmasters even deducted from their already low salaries.
CITU made several demands:
- Immediate payment of the three months’ overdue wages.
- Consistent monthly payments for the entire year.
- Direct deposit of wages into workers’ bank accounts.
- Government provision of necessary sanitation supplies.
- Extension of PF and ESI benefits.
- A minimum wage of ₹26,000 per month for sanitation workers.
Narasimha emphasized the need for united action to achieve justice, urging sanitation workers to be ready for further protests.
The protest included town president and secretary Raghu and Renuka, along with workers Govindamma, Santoshamma, Mallamma, Akira Begum, Lakshmann, Murali, Nagaraju, Govindu, Venkatanna, Bhagyamma, Narsimha, Shantanna, and others.
