Bengaluru, 6 Sept

The All-India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) on Sunday condemned Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda’s recent remarks on pourakarmikas (civic workers), and demanded an apology, stating that “efficiency doesn’t mean scolding workers”.

The statement comes a day after Gowda, during his inspection in the City, came down heavily on some pourakarmikas who asked him to regularise their employment.

“30 per cent of you don’t show up to work everyday,” Gowda scolded, in what has become his landmark style. “Should we still make you permanent when you don’t report for work?” Later, Gowda said that absent workers would be given three notices, and then dismissed.

AICCTU condemned his remarks, and stated that he was speaking to workers without the “minimum respect and humanity” that is expected.

The union noted that most of the pourakarmikas are from the Dalit community and continue to face discrimination.

The union added: “It is extremely wrong to think that public scolding, intimidating or humiliating such workers is an indication of administrative efficiency… Efficiency does not mean scolding workers, but managing the City in a scientific and humane manner.”

“Before blaming the workers, the government should introspect on the shortage of workers, vacancies, contract system, work pressure, delay in payment of wages, lack of safety facilities and administrative failures,” it stated.

AICCTU stated that workers should be guaranteed timely wages, weekly leaves, holiday safety equipment, social security and job security, all long-standing demands from pourakarmikas. Pourakarmikas often hold protest demanding some of the aforementioned benefits, and allege that a reason why work isn’t done is due not receiving salaries on time.