With the Karnataka government’s assurances, civic workers call off their protest.
Story so far: On Tuesday, the BBMP pourakarmikas, or civic workers, called off their strike. The move was preceded by assurances from Jayaram Raipura, BBMP Special Commissioner for Finance, to dig into their demands and grant them permanent employment status shortly.
- Raipura revealed that the demand to make pourakarmikas permanent is before the Chief Minister. The CMO will approve it within two days, and the procedure will be complete within two weeks.
- Besides regularisation, the pourakarmikas have also sought dignified working conditions. In the meanwhile, the current recruitment process will be on hold.
Why it matters? The BBMP Pourakramikara Sangha members were protesting to demand permanent employment for pourakarmikas, as per a written promise by the CM last year. Indeed, the demand was met, but only for a small portion of the workers. While there are 16,000 pourakarmikas, an official notification addressed only 3,673 workers.
- If the government fails to keep its word again, the civic workers have resolved to continue their protest.
(Image credits: BBMP Commissioner’s Facebook post)