Government Adopts Sensitive and Positive Approach towards Resolving Employees’ Issues

New Delhi – Safai Karamcharis on Friday announced the end of their strike after meeting Haryana Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, following an agreement on their demands. Notably, representatives of the Safai Karamchari Union held a meeting with Cabinet Minister  Vipul Goel and Cabinet Minister,  Krishan Kumar Bedi, during which an agreement was reached on their demands.

During the meeting, it was agreed that Safai Karamcharis would be given a uniform allowance of Rs. 440 per month instead of a one-time uniform allowance. With regard to the demand for equal pay for equal work and arrears, payment has already been made to eligible employees.

As demanded, Safai Karamcharis on municipal rolls are being extended the benefit of LTC as per instructions. Directions have also been issued for annual medical check-ups of Safai Karamcharis and sewermen—regular, municipal roll and HKRNL—through the Health Department at the expense of the respective urban local bodies.

Furthermore, in-principle approval was also given to extend the benefit of the medical cashless policy applicable to government employees to regular employees of urban local bodies, pensioners and their dependents. Besides, the Department has already issued instructions for payment of a risk allowance of Rs. 2,000 per month to Safai Karamcharis on municipal rolls. It was also agreed to extend the risk allowance to regular employees.

In the meeting, in-principle approval was also given to enhance the amount under the Mukhyamantri Haryana Karamchari Durghatna Bima Yojana from Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh in the event of death while on duty of Safai Workers on municipal rolls, including Safai Karamcharis, sewermen and Safai Daroga/Head Sewermen.

It was further agreed that Safai Karamcharis and sewermen on municipal rolls who open savings accounts with SBI would be provided Rs. 50 lakh by the bank in case of accidental death or permanent disability and Rs. 25 lakh in case of partial disability. In-principle approval was also given to include Safai Karamcharis and sewermen on municipal rolls under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana–CHIRAYU. The annual premium of Rs. 9,203 per employee will be paid by the respective urban local body.

In-principle approval was also given to provide a total of 20 days of medical leave in a calendar year and to amend the relevant service rules to enable eligible Safai Karamcharis and sewermen to be promoted to clerical (Group C) posts. In-principle approval was also given to increase the monthly wages of sewermen working on municipal rolls by Rs. 2,100. Safai Karamcharis and sewermen engaged through outsourcing agencies will be ensured the prescribed minimum wages, while eligible employees will also be provided ESI and EPF benefits.

It was agreed that after the Government determines the process for recruitment against vacant posts of sewermen and Safai Karamcharis, the selection criteria would be finalised within one month and an advertisement issued within 15 days thereafter. A representative of the Union will also be a member of the committee constituted to frame the criteria. Recruitment against vacant posts will continue from time to time.

It was also agreed to revoke the suspension of regular employees. Besides, municipal roll/HKRNL employees whose services had been terminated will be taken back into service. Further action regarding withdrawal of cases will be taken as per rules. The days of the strike period will be adjusted by performing additional work. It was also agreed that under the Job Security Act, there is a provision for employment to a family member and gratuity after the death of an employee, which can be extended accordingly.

In-Principle Agreement Reached on Demands of Haryana Fire Services Employees’ Union
A meeting was also held with the Haryana Fire Services Employees’ Union, during which in-principle agreement was reached on its demands. The Union had demanded payment of the outstanding amount and regular employment in respect of fire personnel Bhavichand Sharma and Ranbir, who lost their lives in the line of duty. The Union had demanded Rs. 50 lakh for each family.

The Government has already provided Rs. 60 lakh to the family of  Bhavichand Sharma, including Rs. 20 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, Rs. 10 lakh under the Mukhyamantri Karamchari Durghatna Suraksha Yojana and Rs. 30 lakh from Bank of Maharashtra under an MoU.

The family of Ranbir has already been provided Rs. 30 lakh, comprising Rs. 20 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and Rs. 10 lakh under the Mukhyamantri Karamchari Durghatna Suraksha Yojana. Remaining Rs. 20 lakh will be released soon.

If any member of the families of the two deceased employees applies for employment on compassionate grounds, action will be taken as per rules.

Another demand of the Union was to regularise employees on the fire payroll. It was agreed that the recruitment criteria for vacant posts of Fire Operator-cum-Driver would be framed within 45 days and an advertisement would be issued within the following 15 days. A representative of the Union will also be included as a member of the committee constituted to frame the criteria.

Besides, a risk allowance of Rs. 5,000 and an annual uniform allowance of Rs. 7,500 will be provided. There will be no break in service of regular employees due to the strike. The strike period of payroll employees will be adjusted against Extra Duty Leave.