Team Herald
MARGAO: The Margao Municipal Council on Monday finally issued an order hiking the wages of its daily wage workers engaged in garbage collection.
Earlier in the day, the daily wage workers of Margao Municipal Council (MMC) involved in garbage collection had not turned up for work. Later, around 56 workers met the chairperson Babita Angle in her office following a delay in issuing of order on wage hike and sought the reason for not issuing the same.
The chairperson called on the councillors and Chief Officer to facilitate the signing and issuance of the order.
As per the new order, the labourers have now received an increased amount of daily wages at Rs 422 per worker. Meanwhile, the chairperson has taken strong objection to the alleged act of some persons by intimidating the workers in the name of the delayed order.
Angle said, “The scope of up to Rs 500, which was confined only those handling garbage will now be extended to the MMC road gang workers, who are engaged in cleaning of drains and other works. It is our duty to backup these workers who equally do a commendable job in the town as road gang and accordingly we have been writing to the Urban Development Ministry to accommodate these workers too. The minister has already assured to extend the benefit to these workers.”
She said, “If the Urban Development Department does not agree to include these workers then all Councillors will go to the department and sit there until the demand is fulfilled. The chairperson acknowledged that fact it is very difficult to manage the works at Rs 323 per worker. “
Babita said she will require another 250 workers in future to handle the town work as the work has increased as far as MMC jurisdiction is concerned.
She informed that the garbage from the neighbouring areas is straining the system.
Angry over the intimidation of the workers, the chairperson said the intimidator should pick up a broom and cleaning the town.
