Noida: A group of sanitation workers staged a protest on Monday outside the Noida Authority office in Sector 6, alleging that they are being compelled to pay Rs 5,000 annually for medical insurance. The workers claimed that the Authority had initially assured them it would bear the entire insurance cost, but has now decided to cover only half, with the remaining Rs 5,000 deducted from their salaries.
Background of the Insurance Scheme
Noida has approximately 4,800 sanitation workers. Last month, the Authority signed a contract with SBI General Insurance to provide medical insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh per year to each worker and up to five dependent family members, against an annual premium of Rs 10,000.
Previously, the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) had stated that ESI facilities are available only to employees earning up to Rs 21,000 per month. However, following a recent salary revision, sanitation workers’ wages reached this threshold, making them ineligible for ESI and related medical benefits.
Workers' Grievances
“There is inflation and a price hike, and we are unable to afford medical services for ourselves and family members. The workers have been demanding medical insurance facilities for a long time. Last month, Noida Authority said that it has decided to provide medical insurance to workers and their family members. However, now the workers are told that of the Rs 10,000 annual premium, Rs 5,000 will be given by Noida and the remaining Rs 5,000 will be deducted from workers’ salaries,” said Vinod Makoda, a sanitation worker.
Rana, another worker, added that the workers’ salaries are already low and any deduction under such circumstances would adversely affect them. “We were told that Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 will be deducted from the workers’ salary per month. We are protesting against this move and demand that the entire coverage be borne by Noida,” he said.
Authority's Response
Noida OSD Kranti Shekhar stated that Authority officials are in talks with the workers to resolve their concerns.
