Sans transport, staff worry over reaching workplaces

“I have a two-wheeler. But it needs to repaired before it can be used. Recently, I got a call from my employer saying that I should go to the office. But they have not arranged a cab or van for us to commute. I even told them that my vehicle has some issues but they are forcing to go. They even asked us to walk 20 km to reach office,” said Rajesh, a government staff from Retteri. “For the past two days, the management has been pressurising us. If we don’t go, they will cut from the salary. As many workers left the city to go to their hometown, employers are forcing us to reach office,” he added.

“We are dependent on public transport. The only vehicle I have at home is a bicycle and it would be difficult to ride that for more than 13 km. When I asked the management to make arrangement for a vehicle, they refused,” said Uma Devi, a government employee from Ambattur.

Even if the employees find their own transport, they can't reach office without a pass. Many government offices are distributing passes only for those who have two-wheelers and four-wheelers. And only employees who stay nearby are asked to come for work. “We do not have vehicles but as I am residing next to the office, they have asked me to come. So I got a pass for my neighbour so that he can drop and pick me up,” said Allirani, another government employee who resides at Tondiarpet.