Around 80 workers of National Highways Authority of India toll-gate at Etturvattam near here, along with their family members, went on a hunger strike near the toll-gate on Tuesday, pressing for a charter of demands. The strike, supported by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, however, did not affect toll collection.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) Sattur Town secretary K. Vijayakumar said the new contractor had reduced the workers’ salary from Rs.8,000 per month to Rs.6,000. Besides, the workers were not provided with any basic infrastructure, including a canopy over the toll gates, and were exposed to the scorching sun and rain.
Toll-Gate Workers Association coordinator S. Balasubramanian said the employees were not provided with toilet facility and a room for taking rest. Besides, they had to eat in the open, he added.
The toll-gate that started functioning in August 2011 had so far seen many contractors running it. “Even passengers have not been given necessary amenities. Only one bathroom is functional. There is no truck lay-by where the drivers can park their vehicles to take rest, especially at night,” he complained. The contractor had not given any relief to the family of one of the workers who died while working at the toll-gate, he added.
However, the toll-officer appointed by the contractor, N. Loganathan, said the NHAI had sanctioned construction of the canopy.
The shelter over the toll-gates would come up in two months, he added. Stating that his company took the contract only in September 2013, he said the contractor had been working to provide all the basic amenities. “We have constructed two bathrooms here. The NHAI is in the process of putting up a truck lay-by,” he noted.
Mr. Loganathan said the company, which was manning four toll-gates in the Madurai-Kanyakumari Highway stretch, was facing the problem of excess manpower only in Sattur.
“We have accommodated people violating the company’s norms with regard to minimum educational qualification. We have not reduced their salary, but fixed it according to our norms,” he said.
