Stalin interacts with sanitation workers-turned-entrepreneurs, reviews working conditions

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin praises sanitation workers turned entrepreneurs, ensuring minimum income and training for sewer maintenance in Chennai.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin interacted with sanitation workers who recently turned entrepreneurs through an initiative aimed at improving their livelihood here on Saturday.

Reviewing the operation of advanced sewer cleaning machines provided to workers at an event in Teynampet, the Chief Minister enquired about the training given to the entrepreneurs, their income and work hours. He lauded them for their tireless efforts to maintain the sewer network.

About 100 sewer cleaning machines were provided in December 2024 in the scheme’s first phase to improve the working conditions and livelihood of sanitation workers. Nearly 213 sanitation workers were trained to handle the machines and vehicles.

They were also trained to maintain the sewer network in the city, and urban local bodies in the city’s periphery, including Avadi and Tambaram.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department (MAWS) and Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) to train the candidates to become entrepreneurs.

Elaborating on the work schedule and income, sanitation workers said that they earned ₹60,000-₹70,000 a month as the machines were procured with government subsidy. They repair vehicles in firms identified by DICCI and work periodically during night, said a press release.

On Mr. Stalin’s queries about work allocation, they said apart from the regular maintenance of sewer network, work was carried out based on residents’ complaints.