The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has expressed strong disapproval of the recent decision by the SEHB Society during its Annual General Meeting to discontinue the 10 per cent annual wage increment for sanitation workers. This move has prompted the CITU to warn of potential protests against the actions of the society. According to Vijender Mehra, the state president of CITU, the altered policy will lead to financial losses totalling between Rs 700 to Rs 1,000 per month for each worker.

Mehra called for SEHB workers to prepare for a decisive movement in response to this adjustment, signalling that a union meeting will soon be convened to discuss the strategy, including the possibility of a strike. CITU officials have emphasised the need for unity among workers to resist what they deem as an appalling decision by the SEHB Society.

Allegations Against Municipal Corporation

CITU leaders, including district treasurer Balak Ram and district secretary Ramakant Mishra, have accused the Shimla Municipal Corporation of implementing anti-worker policies. They argue that while garbage collection fees are reportedly increasing annually by 10 per cent, the funds derived from these increases are not being allocated for the benefit of the sanitation workers who perform vital yet arduous tasks.

Mehra further elaborated on the challenges faced by SEHB workers, indicating that their workload has significantly intensified in recent years. The number of households each worker is responsible for has surged from 80 to nearly 300, yet instead of maintaining wage increments, the annual hike has been replaced with a mere three per cent Dearness Allowance (DA), which he argues is insufficient and inappropriate.

Concerns Over Financial Mismanagement

During the press conference, Mehra highlighted what he described as a gross misallocation of municipal funds. He pointed out that an expenditure of Rs 2.5 crore on QR code systems could have potentially employed an additional 150 workers, thereby alleviating some of the present burden on existing staff members. This financial mismanagement raises concerns about the use of resources meant for worker welfare.

In his remarks, Mehra also noted the municipal authorities’ decision to increase the Diwali bonus marginally from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000, claiming that they could have instead complied with the Bonus Act, 1965. He suggested that this could have significantly elevated the financial benefits for workers, potentially providing them with bonuses nearly eight times higher than the current offer.

Concerning working conditions, Mehra stated that the new provision of seven annual leaves is drastically below the legally mandated 39 days, thus misleading workers regarding their entitlements. Furthermore, he mentioned that several violations of labour laws are occurring, including inadequate payment for overtime and extra duties.

Mixed Responses to Recent Decisions

Despite the overall criticism regarding the treatment of SEHB workers, Mehra did extend a note of appreciation towards certain recent decisions. He acknowledged the provision of a matching grant of Rs 2 lakh for the SEHB welfare fund as a positive development. Additionally, he welcomed the merger of outsourced workers into the SEHB Society, framing these changes as significant victories in the context of their broader 32-point charter of demands.

As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how both the workers and the Municipal Corporation will respond to the challenges and concerns raised by the CITU and the SEHB workers. The outcome of the impending union meeting may play a pivotal role in determining the next course of action for the workers of Shimla.

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