Chandrapur civic body's contract workers unpaid over Diwali, to strike indefinitely from Friday

Contract workers in the mechanical department of the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation have not been paid even during Diwali. Last month's wages have still not come, and the workers are deeply angry. Repeated demands have brought no payment, so they have decided to begin an indefinite work stoppage from Friday.

These workers play an important part in the corporation's day-to-day functioning. For the past 11 years they have been carrying out their duties regularly and helping keep the city's various mechanical works running.

The workers are employed through a contractor, M/s Limra Services, Darwha. Last month's wages have not been paid by this contractor. As a result, it has become difficult for them to meet household expenses, house rent, children's education costs, medical expenses and other daily needs. The delay in paying them for their labour has put them in financial distress.

With a major festival like Diwali here and no wages in hand, celebrating with their families has become hard for them. The workers had demanded that the dues be paid by Thursday. They had also demanded that the contractor concerned be directed immediately to pay the wages. But the money was not deposited within the deadline, so the workers lost patience and decided to begin the work stoppage from Friday.

The workers are now asking how they are to feed their families if, after 11 years of service, they must keep chasing their wages. Resentment is being voiced that those who shoulder important responsibilities in the corporation's various works have to take the path of agitation for wages that are rightfully theirs.

There is a demand that the corporation administration step in and give the contractor the necessary directions to pay the dues immediately. The agitation is feared to disrupt the mechanical department's work, and all eyes are on what stand the administration takes.