Bangalore: There are unhappy workers everywhere in India and Karnataka, who suffer in view of rupee devaluation, price inflation cheating and insufficient money flow in home budgets to make both ends(income and expenses) meet so what do they do? They go on strike as teachers and workers or state government servants who get less than Union government job holders in service.

Here in city, the BBMP contract workers are on war path and they conducted a token strike on Friday to enforce their demands for a minimum pay as fixed by the state Government.

At the same time, a booklet on “Sweepers’ life in a dump”  in Kannada from a thinker-writer G. Ramakrishna was released as a timely shot.

The contract- workers made several demands and insisted on being paid according to minimum wages fixed by the Government in February 2011, which was Rs7,300 per month.

The Dharna was conducted at the new premises of BBMP. The Union members (who disposed of street garbage daily) accused the elected members of BBMP and officers of exploiting the public workers of BBMP.

There were 13,000 contract workers who were paid only Rs2,300 pm each as wages, which should be paid before 7th of each month, for the previous month’s work done.

But the ground rule is violated by giving even the small amount in 2 installments for a crucial work.

S Balan, Union president told press reporters that workers were in agony for 2 reasons, of less wages, and 2 installments of payment, which is not done for others.

The BBMP earns crores of rupees yearly, by waste disposal on contract basis. But the same BBMP ignores proper minimum wages to workers and such amount as is paid, is in 2 parts.

The workers suffer from ill-health, yet they get no leave. Even when they are present to work, contractors cheat them with false entries in a register, Balan charged.

Under the city administration (BBMP) Act, the municipal workers should get shoes, hand-gloves, soap, sweeping material and uniforms, during their duty hours.

These are denied and they cannot work well under the circumstances. Workers contract skin diseases.

The civic society does not raise its voice in favour of those who keep the megacity clean he voice in favour of those who keep the megacity clean, he added. Yes, both citizens and contractors are on same side.

Former minister and Banjara leader B.T. Lalitha Naik accused the BJP Government of inhuman conduct against its own Municipal workers on contract. No honest attempt is made by a Government that promised heavens for poor contract labour, she criticised.

Thinker and social worker r. C.S. Dwarkanath said that the Government had no right to observe Dr. Ambedkar’s Day when it cannot protect honest workers from rampant exploitation for several years by cheap contractors and officials.

The BBMP Commissioner, MK Shankerlinge Gowda, IAS, met the workers on strike, to remove the rising stink in his city.

As per Government order the minimum salary of Rs 7,300 per month would be paid, as steps are being taken. To remove contractors exploitation the payment would be made direct to the workers under a new plan, he assured.

A couple at work said that they were Megacity Municipal servants since 15 years, without relief in pay.