The Hindu : Pourakarmikas pour out their woes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 11, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Pourakarmikas pour out their woes

BANGALORE, JAN. 10. Braving the threats of dismissal from garbage contractors, pourakarmikas today highlighted their grievances at a public hearing organised by the Support Group for Contract Pourakarmikas.

Though their main demand was for implementation of the minimum wages rule, they also wanted a life of dignity.

Jayamma, a middle-aged pourakarmika, said she once had to stop work when a woman refused to give her a glass of water for drinking, saying she could not touch her.

When she reconciled, she gave water in a mug that was used in the toilet. "I was so thirsty that I had no choice but to drink water from it." When asked to identify her caste, "I said I belong to `A' caste. When she did not understand, I told her that those who clean your surroundings belong to a top caste."

On the other hand, the contractors did not pay full salary and knew how to silence those in power when the pourakarmikas complained to the authorities. "With our money, they build bungalows and live a luxurious life," she said.

Another pourakarmika, Srilakshmi, said men made distasteful comments on women pourakarmikas.

"If I complain to my husband, he does not understand how miserable I feel." Gangamma, another pourakarmika, said she had to feed six people and educate her four children, but could not do it with a salary of Rs. 1,300.

Another woman said she often suffered backache and chest pain but she could not take rest even for a single day.

Venkataraju said he lost his job as he abstained for two days when a glass piece pierced his foot while cleaning the garbage. Many of the pourakarmikas said they had been warned against attending today's programme.

The pourakarmikas from Nandini Layout, however, had a positive story to tell. They recalled how they were dismissed en masse but fought to get their jobs back.

The persons on the panel felt it was high time society allowed pourakarmikas live with dignity while the Government must ensure that they got minimum wages of Rs. 1,800.

Those who spoke included Ko. Channabasappa, retired district judge, O. Sridharan, Dalit leader, Ravi Verma Kumar, former President, Backward Classes Commission, and Hemalatha Mahishi, member, State Women's Commission.

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