HDMC Workers Stage Protest Over Unfulfilled Recruitment Promises
Members of the Dharwad District SC/ST Poura Karmikar-Naukarar Sangh staged a dharna at the main office of the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) on Wednesday, demanding direct recruitment of pourkarmikas as directed by the National Safai Karmacharis Commission. The protest highlighted long-standing grievances regarding employment practices and working conditions.
Decade-Long Demands Remain Unaddressed
Sangh president Vijay Guntral, along with functionaries Gangamma Sidramapur, Kanakappa Kotabagi, Galeppa Dwasalkeri, and Pavan Sagabal, stated that both national and state Karmachari Commissions have repeatedly directed the HDMC commissioner to address the demands of pourkarmikas over the past 11 years. "We staged a day and night dharna for 10 days in July 2024," they said. "HDMC passed resolutions on September 30 and November 29, 2024, committing to fulfil our demands, but implementation has been completely absent to this day."
Critical Shortage in Sanitation Workforce
The protesters emphasized that the state government has ordered direct recruitment of pourkarmikas, yet HDMC has filled only 126 posts in the last nine years. Meanwhile, 744 positions remain vacant following retirements or deaths due to ailments. They lamented that due to HDMC's negligence, many contract pourkarmikas are becoming age-barred, losing their chance for permanent employment.
Allegations of Illegal Dismissals and Poor Conditions
Narasimha Madar, Anita Inagond, Anand Savanur, and Manjunath Madar raised additional concerns, alleging that HDMC has illegally dismissed four pourkarmikas after four to five years of service. They also criticized contractors providing substandard quality food to pourkarmikas, demanding that such contractors be blacklisted and contracts be awarded to reputable organizations like the Akshaya Patra Foundation. Furthermore, they insisted on the payment of pending minimum wages amounting to Rs 9 crore to the affected workers.
Ultimatum Issued Ahead of Commission Chairman's Visit
The Sangh issued a stern warning, stating that if their demands are not met before the expected visit of the Safai Karmachari Commission's chairman to HDMC within the next 10 days, they will halt city cleaning operations and escalate their protest. This ultimatum underscores the urgency of the situation and the workers' determination to secure their rights after years of perceived neglect.
