Mangaluru : The civic workers working for Antony Waste Handling Cell Private Limited (AWHCPL) staged a protest on Wednesday over delay in payment of monthly salary.

As the company has been entrusted with the responsibility of collecting garbage from doorsteps and other solid waste management activities in the city, the protest resulted in the garbage remaining unattended to in major parts of the city.

The civic workers were supported by Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangha (BMS) leaders as well. They planned to stage a protest in front of the Labour Department. As the Department senior official was out of station, they staged a protest in front of the Mangaluru City Corporation.

The Antony Waste Handling Cell Private Limited has 630 civic workers, 130 drivers and 25 supervisors. BMS leader Vishwanath Shetty said that about 100 workers were not paid salary for the last three months. The remaining workers did not get their payment for the month of January.

As per the terms and conditions, they have to be paid by 10th of every month, said the leader. Speaking to DH, Mayor Harinath said, “Payment to Antony Waste Handling Cell Pvt Limited is pending from the Mangaluru City Corporation.

However, as per the terms and conditions, they have to keep funds reserved for three months for making payment to the labourers. The company has flouted the contract conditions. Grass cutting, cleaning the drains and street sweeping were not being carried out properly. The Corporation makes the payment only after verifying the bills submitted by the contract company. This month, the company submitted the bills only after February 5. It takes 10 to 12 days to verify the bills by the officials, before making the payment.” and added, “The company should take responsibility of any inconvenience to the labourers. When it comes to delay in payment, they point finger at the Corporation.”

He said that after convening a meeting, it has been decided to release one month’s payment to Antony Waste Handling Cell Private Limited.