Thousands of contractual workers in Navi Mumbai, employed by the Municipal Corporation (NMMC), are poised to launch an indefinite strike on February 10, demanding equal pay for equal work.
Around 8,000 workers, covering vital services such as sanitation, water supply, and healthcare, argue that despite their efforts, wage disparities persist, with protests dating back months, including hunger strikes since December.
The strike threatens to disrupt essential civic services, including sanitation, water supply, and healthcare.
The workers have been protesting wage disparities for several months, with some participating in a hunger strike outside the municipal headquarters since December.
The strike, led by the Samaj Samata Kamgar Sangh union, emphasizes the urgency of wage parity across municipal departments. “We work across essential services, and if our demands are not heard, we will progressively cease operations,” said Mangesh Lad, the union’s secretary.
NMMC, however, has refuted these claims, stating that it has consistently ensured fair wages, bonuses, provident fund contributions, and other statutory benefits as per the Minimum Wages Act.
The civic body also emphasized that it sought guidance from the Maharashtra government regarding wage parity for contractual workers, but no additional funds were allocated for this purpose by the state.
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Following this, the municipal commissioner appointed a special committee, led by an additional commissioner, to examine the legal and financial feasibility of the workers’ demands.
The committee’s report, based on legal provisions and past court rulings, was shared with labour unions, which were then rejected by them.
While NMMC continues talks with union leaders and has pledged to protect workers’ rights, the union remains steadfast, escalating concerns over potential service disruptions.