The city faces a daunting public health challenge this monsoon, as the 150 workers engaged for division-level cleaning work and removal of refuse have been pulled out of service.
It is an unprecedented predicament that awaits the civic body this season, as weathermen have predicted excess rainfall, which may lead to flooding in most parts of the city. Any delay in clearing refuse during the monsoon may lead to outbreak of contagious diseases, it is feared.
The services of the workers were terminated last week, forcing them to go for a sit-in before the Kochi Corporation office. The steering committee of the Kochi Corporation decided to terminate the services of the workers following the government’s refusal to endorse the payment made to them as wages. The corporation owes the workers around Rs. one crore in wages. The government had earlier declined to ratify the payment of Rs.48 lakh in wages.
Meanwhile, K.J. Antony, LDF leader in the corporation council, has demanded the immediate intervention of the government to solve the crisis. “The delay in clearing drains and shortage of workforce will push the city into a precarious situation. The civic administrators are keen on announcing projects rather than implementing them,” he said.
V.K. Minimol, chairperson of the health standing committee of the corporation, admitted that a health crisis was looming over the city after the removal of the workers.
It was during the term of the previous council that two workers each were deputed to all the 75 divisions for pre-monsoon work and other routine jobs.
Though the government cleared the first instalment of payment, it had instructed the corporation not to continue with the employment and wanted it to find hands from the State Employment Exchange, pointed out Ms. Minimol.
“Though the system continued on ad hoc basis till last month, a stage reached where the local body found it difficult to pay wages. No councillor can personally own up the responsibility of clearing Rs. one crore due to the workers and Rs. 48 lakh, which was paid earlier. Even though it is a tough decision to discontinue the services of the workers, the civic body had to take a call,” she said.
New recruitment
The steering committee of the corporation has decided to recruit new hands through the employment exchange. However, it may take at least two months for the new recruits to join service, and by that time, the monsoon will have progressed, Ms. Minimol said.
