CMWSSB workers seek fair wages for long hours

Office-bearers of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) Labourers’ Union plan to meet Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Secretary this week to present their demands. The meeting follows a midnight protest held recently by the workers seeking better wages for long work hours.

Several workers on contract with the CMWSSB participated in the midnight protest demanding permanent jobs and fair compensation for the number of work hours. They complained that they are paid wages for only 26 workdays instead of 30 workdays.

G. Beem Rao, former Maduravoyal MLA and the union president said nearly 1,400 Metrowater workers, both in water supply and sewerage divisions, remain on contract from three to 20 years. They have been fighting for benefits, including provident fund and overtime and night allowance for many years now. The Union plans to hold daily protests if the demands remain unmet.