Corporation contract workers protest against privatisation

According to a sanitary inspector who was part of the protest, the Federation of Unions Against Privatisation in Greater Chennai Corporation had held talks with Deputy Commissioner R Lalitha (also the Commissioner-in-charge) on Tuesday. “However, the civic authority refused to heed to the demands forcing us to conduct a demonstration,” the official said.

The protestors also put-forth their demand of increasing daily wages and consolidated pay based on various Government Orders. “When asked about the privatisation, the officials are citing few government orders to back their decision, and claimed the decision is being taken owing to a policy decision. But they are flouting other Government Orders that insist minimum wages to contract workers,” the protestors added.

The Corporation employees are opposing the civic officials’ decision to hire vehicles and drivers on contract basis. Recently, the Chennai Corporation floated tenders inviting bidders to undertake conservancy works in extended zones, in addition to the existing conservancy works by private firms in Kodambakkam, Teynampet and Adyar zones inside the core city area.