CITU seeks immediate release of salaries to sanitation workers

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) on Friday (June 6) demanded the immediate release of three months’ pending salaries to sanitation workers and night watchmen working at government schools and colleges.

The CITU submitted a petition to NTR District Education Officer M.V. Subba Rao on Friday. In response, the officer promised that pending salaries of three months for night watchmen and school ayahs (helpers) will be released within two days.

CITU Union leaders N.C.H. Supraja and M. Someswara Rao said the sanitation workers in schools across the NTR district must be retained. They also condemned the government’s action of removing ayahs, citing policy regulations. They slammed the government for delaying even the paltry salaries paid to these workers and not implementing minimum wage laws. 

They demanded that the government increase the salaries of ayahs working in schools in line with inflation. They strongly opposed the proposed policy of appointing only one ayah for every 300 students, stating that it would render hundreds of ayahs jobless.

They urged the ruling coalition government to resolve the issues faced by sanitation workers, increase their salaries and refrain from arbitrarily dismissing ayahs without valid reason.

Other demands include extension of ESI and PF benefits to these workers, issuance of identity cards, and provision of uniforms by the government.

Published - June 06, 2025 07:00 pm IST