Amid an increase in vector-borne illnesses within the nationwide Capital, home breeding checkers (DBCs) in Delhi have threatened to go on strike to press for his or her calls for on equal pay and regularisation of jobs. The employees’ union has issued a 15-day discover to the Municipal Company of Delhi (MCD) warning of an imminent strike if their calls for stay unaddressed.
The DBCs, a part of the general public well being division of MCD, play a vital position in combating mosquito-borne illnesses reminiscent of dengue, malaria, and chikungunya.
“Folks working in the identical publish are being given six various kinds of salaries — Rs 27,000 being the best, whereas different salaries are within the vary of Rs 19,000-Rs Rs 24,000 and even as little as Rs 18,000 a month,” mentioned Devanand Sharma, president of the Anti-Malaria Ekta Karamchari Union. “If everyone seems to be doing comparable work, there shouldn’t be such variations in wage,” he mentioned.
MCD officers didn’t reply regardless of a number of makes an attempt in search of remark.
One of many key points highlighted is the inconsistent cost of bonuses. “Earlier than Diwali, they announce bonuses yearly, however some staff get Rs 7,000, whereas others get Rs 1,000. In North and East Delhi, the bonuses haven’t been given for the previous 2-3 years,” Sharma claimed.
Moreover, the employees declare that whereas Provident Fund deductions are made, the cash doesn’t attain their Worker Provident Fund accounts.
The DBCs had been employed on contract by the division in 1996 following a extreme dengue pressure that resulted in 10,000 instances of diseases and 423 fatalities. Initially, 1,100 home breeding checkers (DBCs) had been employed; presently, MCD has 3,112 DBCs.
Whereas the employees, categorized as a part of MCD’s Multi-Tasking Workers since November final 12 months, have been demanding equal pay and job safety for years, an indefinite strike in July noticed some affect as the employees returned to work with guarantees of future negotiations.
Nonetheless, with no additional discussions concerning their calls for, the employees really feel they haven’t any choice however to threaten one other strike. “We’ve got despatched 5 letters to this point asking for options, however they don’t seem to be even prepared to speak,” Sharma mentioned.
DBCs additionally demanded help for the households of staff who died on obligation. Since 1996, 52 DBCs have misplaced their lives resulting from illnesses contracted whereas at work. In November 2023, a proposal was offered within the MCD Home to supply jobs to the widows of deceased staff however the agenda has been deferred since.
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