Hojai (Assam), 16 April (HS): Permanent sanitation workers at Lumding Railway Junction staged a protest on Thursday, raising serious allegations over wage discrepancies and denial of basic benefits.

The demonstration was held within the railway station campus early in the morning, with workers voicing grievances against the current system under which cleaning operations are reportedly being managed by a private firm, Reliable Concrete Corporation.

According to the protesting workers, they have been manually maintaining cleanliness at the station for years, ensuring convenience for passengers and the general public. However, they alleged that despite receiving SMS alerts showing a monthly deposit of ₹16,000 in their bank accounts, they are handed only ₹9,000 to ₹10,000 in cash.

The workers accused contractor Sushant Pal of siphoning off the remaining amount, claiming that a significant portion of their rightful wages is being misappropriated every month. They further alleged that they have been deprived of essential benefits such as medical facilities and other allowances.

Expressing frustration, the sanitation workers questioned whether the railway administration would take action against the contractor despite repeated complaints. They highlighted the plight of workers who perform essential and often hazardous cleaning tasks, stating that their rightful earnings are being unfairly withheld.-------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash