CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) will pay its 24,264 sanitation workers a daily food allowance of Rs 50 in place of cooked meals, following a recent announcement in the Assembly. Workers had repeatedly complained about the quality of food served under the one free meal scheme introduced by the previous DMK government.
The municipal administration and water supply department issued an order on September 21 approving the change and cancellation of the food supplier’s three-year contract. Workers employed through self-help groups and private conservancy contractors Urbaser Sumeet and Chennai Enviro Solutions Private Limited will receive the allowance.
The amount will be paid with their monthly salaries, based on the number of days they report for duty. GCC will meet the estimated annual cost of Rs 44.28 crore from its funds.
Seeking approval for the change, GCC Commissioner G S Sameeran had written to the government about complaints from workers, project monitoring consultants and civic officials. These included poor-quality food, late deliveries, unhygienic kitchens and concerns over ingredients and the upkeep of cooking vessels. A citywide survey also found that 92% of workers preferred a cash allowance.
For now, the change applies only to Chennai. Sources said the department had sought the views of other urban local bodies, but there was no immediate proposal to extend the allowance.
Under the meal scheme, launched on November 15 last year, workers were given breakfast, lunch or dinner depending on their shift. The civic body paid the agency Rs 47.25 per worker for breakfast, Rs 57.75 for lunch and Rs 42 for dinner, and had designated places where workers could sit and eat.
Replacing the meals with a cash allowance was among the demands raised by conservancy workers during a 16-day protest led by the Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam. At the talks on September 4, ministers had promised workers “happy news” on October 3, when the second round of discussions is scheduled.
