Pourakarmikas have called off their strike temporarily following an agreement with the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike here on Monday.
Nearly 2,000 pourakarmikas and contractors from all eight zones of the BBMP met B. Heera Nayak, Joint Commissioner of the BBMP's Mahadevapura division, and it was agreed upon that the contractors would pay those working on contract basis the notified wages i.e., a basic pay of Rs. 2,571. However, S. Balan, General Council Member of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), said that they will keep the struggle on till their demands for “equal pay for equal work” is met.
He said that they are planning to hold a State-level convention to make pourakarmikas in all the districts aware of their rights. Their demands also include statutory benefits and provision for safety gear such as gum boots, uniform and soap. “It is a hazardous profession. We need these things. Also, how does the BBMP expect these workers to survive on such a meagre income in a city like Bangalore?” he asked.
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Inconvenience
Meanwhile, it was yet another messy day in the city as the strike entered its fifth day. The deadlock left the city streets in a state of clutter as popular shopping destinations and business hubs, including Commercial Street, were at their untidiest best leaving people greatly inconvenienced.