Sanitation Workers' Plight under Privatization Spotlight in Parliament

AAP MP Sanjay Singh raises concerns in Rajya Sabha about the adverse effects of privatisation on municipal sanitation workers. He highlights their critical pandemic role and issues like job insecurity and lack of benefits. Singh seeks justice for workers, as Parliament debates the Union Budget.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh has brought a crucial issue to the forefront of the Rajya Sabha, focusing on the injustice faced by sanitation workers amidst municipal corporation privatisation. Through a Zero Hour notice submitted on Wednesday, Singh aims to shed light on the challenges confronting these essential workers nationwide, with a particular emphasis on urban local bodies such as Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur Municipal Corporation. He emphasised their indispensable contributions to the country's cleanliness during the COVID-19 crisis.

Singh's submission called attention to the fact that these workers, who risked their lives during the pandemic, are now facing job insecurity due to the growing trend of outsourcing sanitation services to private contractors. This privatisation push, according to Singh, results in long-serving sanitation employees losing out on regular employment, job security, and fundamental statutory benefits like the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), Employees' State Insurance (ESI), fair wages, and safety gear.

While the Union Budget discussions continued in both Houses of Parliament, the list of business included presentations by BJP MP Anurag Sharma and JKNC MP Miah Altaf Ahmad on transport and culture reports in the Lok Sabha. Additionally, a statement on the implementation of solar power recommendations from Union New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi was anticipated. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)