Pic for representation onlyHubballi: The Karnataka Progressive Waste Transport Vehicle Drivers and Helpers Association (AICCTU) has organised a ‘Belagavi Chalo’ to Belagavi Suvarna Soudha on Dec 17, demanding the abolition of the contract system and other concessions, said state president PP Appanna.Speaking at a press conference in the city on Monday, Appanna said that over 500 people would participate in the march. He demanded that all waste collection and disposal vehicle drivers, helpers, and loaders working in urban local bodies be made permanent immediately through direct payment.The high court ordered in 2012 that the salaries of the drivers be deposited into their bank accounts, but this directive is not being followed. Chief minister Siddaramaiah’s promise to make garbage disposal workers’ jobs permanent has not been fulfilled, and labour minister Santosh Lad’s proposal to form a society was rejected by the association.Appanna said that a monthly salary of Rs 42,000 should be fixed. He added that equal pay for equal work should be ensured, salaries should be paid by the 7th of every month, plots allocated, and houses built for solid waste disposal vehicle drivers, loaders, and cleaners. Financial assistance should be provided for their children’s education, and strict orders issued to prevent harassment at the workplace.AICCTU office bearers Chandrashekar Shiragumpi, Mahesh Kadam, and AICCTU state secretary Keshav Nayak were present.
