Chennai Corporation workers lay siege to HQ, seek pay hike, relief

“The government had issued an order three years ago directing civic bodies to provide Rs 624 per day to conservancy workers. But, the Corporation is yet to implement it. Conservancy workers have to buy brooms at their own cost,” alleged SK Mahendiran, president, Chennai Corporation Redflag Union.

After the union announced protest, the entrances were closed and visitors were not allowed through the main entrance. Soon after the workers gathered and raised slogans, the police arrested more than 300 of them who were detained at nearby marriage halls.

Union general secretary L Srinivasalu said more than 400 workers had contracted the virus. “However, not a single contract worker received the relief fund of Rs 2 lakh,” he said. Around 6 pm, when police asked the detained protesters to leave, they refused and demanded meeting with Municipal Administration Minister SP Velumani.During the protest, the workers also had demanded that their salary should be doubled and sought Rs 2,500 incentive to front-line workers as promised by the government.