In a letter to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Domestic Breeding Investigators (DBC) workers have threatened to go on strike if their demand for regularization is not met before June 15.
Devanand Sharma, president of Anti-Malaria Ekta Karmachari Sangh, said that even after four meetings with the MCD officials, no solution has been found. “We are only demanding our due rights. If this is not given to us, we will be forced to go on strike. In the letter, the workers have demanded constitutional post, safety, security and better equipment.
Despite the government promising permanent posts as field workers in March 2022, DBC workers responsible for campaigning against vector-borne diseases have no clarity on the matter.
The workers have been demanding regularization and protection from the MCD for many years. They were first introduced in the city in 1996 under the health department of the MCD to combat the menace of vector-borne diseases, however, they were not given any official position. Due to this, they are not entitled to any benefits like medical or post-retirement allowances.
‘No follow-up done’
Mr. Sharma said, “MCD is playing games with us. They keep telling us that a permanent post will be provisioned for us but no follow up is done. So many workers died while performing their duties, but no financial assistance was provided to their families by the MCD. Even the retired employees are struggling as the MCD has nothing to give them.
Many DBC employees have complained of no support, and the salary barely covers their families. In addition, farm spraying equipment is extremely old and new machinery is an essential requirement. The existing machinery overheats and burns occur on their bodies.
A senior MCD official said, “We will do whatever is necessary and it is within our legal limits for DBC employees.” However, there is no clarity whether the MCD will accede to their demand of giving them a constitutional post or not.
On Tuesday, MCD Mayor Shaili Oberoi held a review meeting with the officials and took stock of the staff, equipment and their operational procedures. He also directed to constitute a task force for the prevention of vector borne diseases. It was informed during the meeting that the equipment has been repaired.