Sanitation workers at Government Rajaji Hospital staged a demonstration outside the premises on Monday, pressing for a festival bonus, wage hike, and regularised working conditions ahead of Deepavali.Organised under the Labour Liberation Front (LLF)—a trade union affiliated with the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK)—the protest highlighted the grievances regarding daily wages, leave policies, and workplace safety.A sanitary worker named Palaniammal stated that workers were initially demanding a Deepavali bonus of ₹10,000 alongside an increase in their daily wages from ₹438 to a rate that better reflects their demanding hygiene maintenance duties.Workers also voiced frustration over severe leave restrictions, noting they currently receive no mandatory days off and face salary deductions if they take time away.Further, the union raised concerns over delayed Provident Fund and ESI credits, demanded the strict enforcement of a seven-hour shift (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.) with overtime pay for extra hours, and called for essential protective gear like gloves, boots, masks, and soaps to safeguard their health.They submitted a petition to District Collector Nishant Krishna, authorities and contract representatives.According to Ms. Palaniammal, the Collector assured workers that a Deepavali bonus of ₹3,000 would be disbursed, daily wages would be raised by ₹ 200 (from ₹438 to ₹638), and one paid monthly leave day would be granted, with remaining demands scheduled for review in the coming days.
Published - November 02, 2026 06:56 pm IST