A state-level conference of sanitation workers (powrakarmikas) was held on 06.11.2022 at Ambedkar Bhavan in Bangalore by the BBMP Pourakarmika Sangha, Karnataka Pragathipara Pourakarmika Sangha, Karnataka Pragathipara Tajya Sagisuva Vahana Chalakara Matthu Sahayakara Sangha (all affiliated with AICCTU), demanding that all powrakarmikas in the state be made permanent.
Place of Posting or Seniority:
In a historic victory to the sanitation workers across Karnataka, the BJP-led government at the State has agreed to make their jobs permanent, among other demands. After a four-day long strike held in 31 districts, including sweepers, auto drivers, helpers, loaders, UGD workers, who were working under the direct-payment system, sham contract, daily wagers, among other artificially distinguished workers, will be made permanent.
1. Ad-hoc Employee Granted Pension by Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has directed the State Government of Gujarat to pay pensionary benefits to an ad-hoc employee who retired from his employment after 30 years of continuous service. It reprimanded the state government for stating that it is unreasonable to claim pension as the workman was employed on an ad-hoc basis for 30 years and therefore was not eligible for pension. The Supreme Court in its order noted that “as a welfare State, the State as such ought not to have taken such a stand.”
The life and livelihoods of street vendors have been debilitated post-COVID 19 pandemic. Street vendors who have always been at the receiving end of the State’s wrath through constant spate of evictions from their market places, hafta collections, verbal and physical abuse at the hands of the police, local authorities, and private individuals, have now been deeply affected by the looming economic crisis in the country. Additionally, they are also impacted by the anti-farmer laws as also the growing communal violence and the atmosphere of intolerance in the country.
Forcible Deductions from Pension for CM Relief Fund – Kerala High Court: In Rajan & Anr. V. KSEB & Ors, the High Court of Kerala on 08.07.2021 stated that unauthorized deductions from the pension fund of the petitioners towards contributions to the CM Relief Fund is not permissible unless written consent is taken from the employees.
With an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths during the 2nd wave of the pandemic, the country is facing an inordinate stress on crematoriums and cemeteries for disposal of the dead. We continue to hear the news of how local authorities are identifying mass cremation centers to deal with the situation or how electric crematoriums are breaking down due to the load and cities are running out of burial space.