Pourakarmikas raise voice against new rule

Over 100 contract pourakarmikas protested against the BBMP’s plans to disallow women above 50 years of age to work as pourakarmikas. The protest was organised by the the BBMP Contract Pourakarmikas Federation at the BBMP headquarters.

Jayaram, general secretary of the federation, said, “There are a number of pourakarmikas who are above 45 years of age. What will these people do if the BBMP decides that they cannot be contract labourers? Those who have nowhere else to go usually take up this job. Without this job, they will probably land up begging on the streets,” he said.

Anjanamma Narasimhamurthy, who claimed to have been a pourakarmika for 18 years, said every ward has 4-8 pourakarmikas who are above 45 years of age. “Most of these women began working when the salary was a mere Rs400 per month. They have been promised Rs 5,000 now, but what is the point if they are kicked out of work?” she asked.

Ramalakshmi Gangadhara, another pourakarmika from Avalahalli ward, said pourakarmikas would not get any pension, as they are contract labourers who are not regularised by the BBMP. “They should at least be regularised so that they will get some benefits from the BBMP,” she said.