Contract workers call off stir as NMMC offers to ease their woes

CBD BELAPUR: Thousands of contract workers of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), who went on strike under the banner of Navi Mumbai Municipal Mazdoor Union (NMMMU) on Monday, withdrew theire agitation after NMMC officials assured union leaders that all their demands would be fulfilled.

Their 1o- point demands included among other things implementation of sixth central pay commission recommendations and equal pay for equal work.

Around 6,500 contract workers are employed in several departments of NMMC. The civic body has introduced equal pay for equal work Act, but several departments of the corporation have not put in place the Act, said Suresh Thakur, secretary of NMMMU.

He said " Those contract workers who are employed as supervisors are getting payments as that of daily wagers. Computer trainers employed in education department on contract basis are paid less as compared to their work. Those who have not received payments on the basis of the pay commission recommendations will get arrears in payments in coming months,"

He said the NMMC assured that technical issues pertaining to Gharkul housing scheme would soon be resolved. Around 6,000 contract workers of NMMC will be provided accommodation under the scheme.

According to Deputy Municipal Commissioner Jagannath Sinnarkar, “The talks between the administration and the union were successful. Several of the demands of the union have already been sanctioned but their implementation was pending. That too will be done soon by the NMMC.”

Contract workers on strike under the banner of Navi Mumbai Municipal Mazdoor Union on Monday. BACHCHAN KUMAR