Sanitary workers demand ‘rightful’ wage for their work

MADURAI: Sanitary worker P Sadayan, 50, from Karadipatti village in Madurai has been working for 20 years, earning a monthly income of Rs 6, 400. Though he finds it difficult to make both ends meet with that amount, he continues to do the work for the same wage as it is the only option left for him.

Those who joined the work two years ago too earn the same wage. More than 4,000 sanitary employees and overhead tank operators working in 13 village panchayat unions in Madurai district. Wage provided to tank operators are only pittance.

R Pandiarajan, 54, one such tank operator is getting a wage of Rs 140 a day, which is inadequate to run his family. The wage of Rs 4,200 will be provided at any day in the month. He married off his two married off. However, he does not have a way to repay loans taken for the marriages.

There is no employment benefit, including provident fund, meaning they will not get any money when they retire. The incidents of sanitary workers honored by people for their service in the wake of covid-19 only a matter of laughter.

They say that they were not amused when the whole nation clapped and cheered for their service upon request from the Prime Minister. “We do not want such honours and appreciations. We just want a decent salary. We have been fighting for justice for several years, but nothing has changed,” said A Kondavellai, state organiser of panchayat sanitation employees and overhead tank operators association.