Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Jan 31: Drivers of waste transporting vehicles, water supply assistants, loaders, cleaners, helpers and underground drainage workers will go on indefinite strike from February 1 demanding direct payment to outsource employees to local bodies of the city and making them permanent in phases.

Speaking at the press conference, B K Annappa Karekadu, convener of coastal division of Karnataka state association of outsourced workers of state corporations, city municipality, town municipality and panchayat, said, “There are more than 15,000 outsourced workers in the state. All the civic workers of 330 city local bodies will take part in the strike. From February 1, drinking water supply and cleaning work will be stopped for an indefinite period. More than 900 people will participate in the protest throughout the district. March and protest will be held in Mangaluru city also.

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“We welcome the direct recruitment of civic workers. However, we also urge judicial rights of outsourced workers. It is not right to follow divide and rule policy within the same department. This has to be set right and outsourced workers have to be made permanent in phases,” he said.