Govt will respond to pourakarmikas’ problems: Bommai

Sanitary workers began strike on July 1 seeking regularisation of services

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday said the State government is sympathetic towards the grievances of pourakarmikas in various urban local bodies and their issues would be addressed at the earliest.

 “We are sympathetic towards the problems of pourakarmikas and the State government is committed to redress them humanitarianly”, Mr Bommai told reporters before leaving for Hyderabad to participate in the BJP National Executive meet.

Sanitation workers, including pourakarmikas, UGD workers, sweepers and drivers, launched an indefinite strike in the State on Friday demanding that the government regularise the services of pourakarmikas serving with urban local bodies.

Workers have urged the government to pay PF gratuity up to ₹10 lakh to those who have completed service, a monthly pension of ₹5,000 and other benefits, including a complete health check-up every three months. They also demanded 10% special reservation for their children in schools.

Mr Bommai said the state government has agreed in principle to regularise the services of pourakarmikas who are working under the direct payment system. The necessary legal and technical measures would be taken soon to address their grievances. A joint committee of officials and representatives of the pourakarmikas has been formed to look into their grievances, he said.

Also read: Explained | Pourakarmikas’ arduous road to dignity of labour

On Friday, Mr Bommai chaired a meeting to discuss the problems of pourakarmikas and decided to set up the committee, which would submit its report within three month to the government, recommending various measures for the welfare civic workers.