CH News
61 Cleaning staffs, predominantly women from marginalized communities, have been denied employment by the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), in regard that, All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) hosted a press conference at the Press Club on Tuesday.
While addressing the press, AICCTU mentions that, these Cleaning staffs are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and waste management of the CABS campus. They are forced to handle garbage with bare hands and are not provided safety equipment.
The workers’ wages have been well below the minimum wage. Since 2019, their wages were deposited into their personal accounts, but contractors demanded Rs 3,000 monthly, which later increased to Rs 4,200. Those who refused to comply faced harassment. This extortion ceased only after the workers approached the Regional Labour Commissioner in October 2023. Despite this, on March 23, 61 out of 77 workers were terminated, while the remaining 16 who complied with the extortion, were allowed to continue working.
In a meeting with the Karnataka State Commission for Safai Karamcharis (KSCSK) on May 7, CABS representatives claimed they had no objection to rehiring the terminated workers and instructed them to report for duty on May 9. However, when the workers arrived, they were not taken back into service.
The workers have demanded immediate reinstatement, criminal action against those responsible for extortion, restoration of extorted amounts, and provision of dignified working conditions. The denial of employment not only infringes upon their fundamental rights but also constitutes a blatant violation of labor laws and principles. It is imperative that CABS and relevant authorities take swift and decisive action to rectify this injustice and ensure the welfare and dignity of these workers.
