It is not just the outsourced computer operators working for the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) whose salaries were paid late, but it seems to be the same even for the 700-odd link workers in the BBMP’s Health Department.
On Wednesday, the BBMP Health Link Workers’ Association staged a protest demanding that their salaries be disbursed on time.
Association president Shashikala B.K. told The Hindu that the link workers have been working for civic body since 1995-96. “We were recruited as part of the national scheme to monitor the health of pregnant women, infants and young children. We were deployed in the 84 health centres across the city. When we were recruited, our salary was Rs. 300. Even after so many years, we get only Rs. 3,080 after ESI and PF deductions,” she said.
Ms. Shashikala said that despite repeated complaints to the BBMP, salaries continued to be disbursed late, sometime up to three months late.
Sharada S.R., vice-president, complained that they were not getting salary slips, neither was any information forthcoming about the ESI and PF that was being deducted from their salaries every month. “We were getting salary slips till around two years ago. We do not know why it was stopped suddenly,” she said.
N. Shivanna, honorary president, said the BBMP, which was supposed to revise their salaries in January, had failed to do so. He said the BBMP should at least regularise their services, increase the salary to at least Rs. 10,000 a month, ensure salaries are disbursed on time every month.
