GHMC to penalise the high absenteeism among sanitation workers

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) may soon start penalising the sanitation workers for high absenteeism tackling of which reportedly has become an unmanageable task for the officials.

Orders have reportedly been issued to penalise the self-help groups (SHGs) which function as outsourcing agencies for recruitment of sweepers, for the absenteeism. Officials under the condition of anonymity shared that in each circle with more than 50% absenteeism, there will be a cut of ₹2,000 in the salary amount to be deposited in the SHG’s account.

High absenteeism among the sanitation workers in the city is affecting the road sweeping services adversely, officials say, justifying the penal action.

Already, memos are being issued to the Assistant Medical Officers of Health in each circle seeking explanation for absenteeism of over 20%, officials said.

“In a few areas, we have noticed merely one sweeper in place of a group of seven. Several workers make an appearance once in 15-20 days, just so that they don’t lose the job. Moonlighting and side businesses have become a trend, which is affecting the city sanitation adversely,” a highly placed official shared.

Gig work has become more fetching than road sweeping for several workers who do not mind loss of pay for a few days each month which they can make up for elsewhere.

Road sweeping contracts are being given to SHGs since 2012, subsequent to termination of existing contracts with outsourcing agencies for providing sweeping manpower. The decision was taken in view of the exploitation the agencies were resorting to by deploying fewer sweepers than shown on paper and forcing them to work more, while paying only a portion of the sanctioned salaries. The then Special Commissioner Naveen Mittal, in order to do away with the agencies, announced that the sweeping contract would be given to any group of seven women who would come together to form an SHG.

The 18,000-odd sanitation workers in GHMC are now organised among over 2,600 SHGs, with one or two women from each group functioning as leaders. Salary amounts are deposited in the account of the leaders, who will distribute it among the sweepers. This system ruled out exploitation thanks to the equitable power dynamics among the SHG partners.

Apart from absenteeism, deaths and absconding workers are another issue the corporation has to grapple with. With manpower agencies gone, the task to recruit new hands has fallen upon GHMC. Due to corruption rife in the recruitment process, government’s nod is sought even for this task.

Government has given an approval recently, to fill up around 4,300 vacancies with the kin of the deceased workers. Circle level committees have been formed with Deputy Commissioner, AMOH and Zonal Commissioner concerned as members, who will recruit the workers, officials informed.