Advance sanitation arrangements sought

AITUC State vice-president and AP Municipal Workers Union city unit president Tatipaka Madhu has urged the Rajamahendravaram Municipal Corporation to strengthen sanitation arrangements in the city well in advance of the upcoming Godavari Pushkarams and increase the number of municipal workers to meet the expected demand. Madhu met Municipal Commissioner Rahul Meena on Thursday and submitted a representation outlining the problems faced by sanitation workers and the measures required for the Pushkarams.

Speaking to municipal sanitation workers earlier, he said lakhs of devotees were expected to visit Rajamahendravaram during the Pushkarams, requiring a large additional workforce to maintain sanitation across the city. Instead of making hurried arrangements after the Pushkarams begin, the authorities should assess the manpower requirement immediately and take steps to recruit the required number of workers as per the rules, he said.

Madhu said municipal workers were working hard every day to protect public health and maintain cleanliness in the city, but were not being provided adequate wages and safety facilities. Describing differences in wages among workers performing the same duties as unfair, he demanded implementation of equal pay for equal work. He also sought an increase in wages in view of the rising cost of living and increasing workload.

Quality tools, gloves, masks, footwear and other protective equipment should be supplied to sanitation workers without delay, he said. Madhu urged the authorities to ensure that devotees visiting the city during the Pushkarams could take a holy dip in a clean and hygienic environment without facing health problems.

AP Municipal Workers Union State vice-president Dhanala Durgamma, State secretary Allam Venkateswara Rao, and treasurer Reddy Ramana were among those present.

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The Hans India