Police arrested around 35 to 40 sanitation workers leading a day-long protest under the banner of the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) in Thoothukudi on July 13. The workers, who had been protesting since the morning over wages, statutory benefits and trade union rights, were taken into custody late at night.
The workers demanded immediate implementation of the minimum wages notified by the Tamil Nadu government, payment of the wage revision announced by the District Collector, and recovery and disbursal of the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) and Provident Fund (PF) contributions withheld by the Overland contractor to the workers and the concerned government authorities. They also demanded the immediate reinstatement of AICCTU union leader Ponraj, who was removed from service for his trade union activities.
The protest continued throughout the day with workers asserting that they would intensify their struggle until their long-pending demands for fair wages, statutory benefits and trade union rights are fulfilled.
