Madurai Corporation Labour Unions Stage Sit-In Protest Over Unresolved Grievances
In a significant demonstration of worker solidarity, the federation of Madurai Corporation labour unions organized a sit-in protest opposite the Madurai Junction railway station on Wednesday. The action was taken to press for urgent resolutions to a series of long-standing issues impacting permanent, consolidated, and contract employees across various departments.
Core Demands: Wage Hike and Arrears Payment
Represented by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and the Labour Liberation Front (LLF), the federation's foremost demand centered on financial justice. The unions insisted on the implementation of a minimum daily wage of ₹761, which they argued should be paid with arrears retroactive to September 2023. This wage demand was not limited to a specific group; it explicitly included sanitary workers and diverse technical staff within the hygiene and engineering departments.
Furthermore, the protestors called for the formal transition of consolidated workers from merged village panchayats into a time-scale pay structure, aiming to provide them with more stable and predictable compensation.
Operational and Administrative Reforms Sought
Beyond wages, the workers presented a comprehensive list of operational demands designed to improve working conditions and administrative fairness. A key logistical demand was the establishment of a dedicated waste disposal zone in each of Madurai's five zones. This measure was proposed to eliminate the need for long and costly travel to the central dumping site in Vellakal, thereby saving time and reducing fuel expenses for the corporation.
The submitted petition also included calls for:
- The reinstatement of terminated drivers and supervisors.
- The abandonment of the current biometric attendance system, which workers find problematic.
- The initiation of regular, bi-monthly grievance redressal meetings involving union representatives and management to ensure ongoing dialogue.
Corporation's Response and Commitments
Following discussions between corporation officials and the protesting union members, the civic administration reportedly agreed to several of the demands. In a positive development, the corporation committed to setting up a localised waste disposal point in every zone. This move is expected to significantly cut down on travel time and fuel costs associated with trips to the Vellakkal dumping site.
Additionally, the administration promised concrete steps on payroll issues. Officials assured the release of all pending pay slips for both permanent and daily wage workers within the coming days. They also set an internal goal to ensure that salary disbursements are consistently completed by the 10th of every month, aiming for greater financial predictability for the workforce.
While the protest highlighted deep-seated issues, the corporation's willingness to engage and offer specific solutions marks a step toward addressing the grievances of its essential labour force.
