CMWSSB workers in Chennai are seeking fair wages, permanent employment and statutory benefits after holding a midnight protest over long working hours and what they say is inadequate compensation. Office-bearers of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board Labourers’ Union are expected to meet the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Secretary this week to present their demands.
Several contract workers from the water supply and sewerage divisions took part in the protest. The workers said they are paid wages for only 26 days instead of 30 days, despite working long hours. They are also seeking benefits including provident fund contributions, overtime payments and night allowances.
G. Beem Rao, former Maduravoyal MLA and president of the union, said nearly 1,400 Metrowater workers have remained on contract for periods ranging from three to 20 years. The workers are employed across the Chennai water and sewerage utility’s operations, according to the union.
The proposed meeting with the MAWS Secretary will place the workers’ demands before the department responsible for municipal administration and water supply matters in Tamil Nadu. The union’s demands cover both employment status and compensation for work performed beyond standard hours, including night duties.
The dispute concerns a workforce involved in maintaining two essential urban services: the distribution of drinking water and the operation of sewerage systems. The available report does not specify whether the protest affected water supply, sewerage operations or other Metrowater services in Chennai.
The workers have been seeking benefits for several years, according to the union. Their demand for permanent jobs also reflects the length of time many have continued to work on contract, with some workers reportedly remaining in that arrangement for as long as two decades.
The union president said the workers plan to hold daily protests if their demands are not addressed. The proposed escalation comes as the union prepares to meet the MAWS Secretary this week.
The next formal step is the meeting between the CMWSSB Labourers’ Union office-bearers and the MAWS Secretary, where the workers are expected to submit their demands on wages, permanent employment, provident fund, overtime and night allowances.
