CM urges civic workers to make use of govt welfare schemes

Bengaluru

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the welfare of civic workers, announcing that nearly 9,000 sanitation-related staff—including vehicle drivers, helpers, and operators—will be made permanent in the coming days.

Speaking at the Civic Workers’ Day celebration and appointment letter distribution program organized by the BBMP, the Chief Minister personally handed out regularization letters and praised the dedication of civic workers who contribute daily to the city’s cleanliness and public health.

End to Exploitation and Middlemen

Recalling his previous tenure as Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah said, “Contractors were exploiting civic workers and denying them fair wages. To address this, we implemented the Minimum Wages Act and increased salaries from ₹7,000 to ₹17,000, credited directly into workers’ bank accounts—cutting out middlemen.”

He noted that civic workers are now free from the "scourge of drunkard contractors" and the exploitation that once plagued the system.

Siddaramaiah emphasized that the Congress government has fulfilled its promise to regularize sanitation workers—an issue he had championed while in the Opposition. "Today, the fourth-grade employees will receive a salary of ₹39,000 directly in their accounts," he said.

No Job Is Inferior

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi and Basavanna, the CM said cleanliness is divine work and there is dignity in every profession. “No job is superior or inferior,” he affirmed.

The CM highlighted various welfare initiatives, including a plan to send 1,000 civic workers abroad for training. He stressed the need for the children of civic workers to be educated and integrated into the mainstream of society. “Economic, social, and educational equality is essential for building an inclusive state,” he added, urging the public to also take ownership of keeping their surroundings clean.