Temporary Employees of Chinsurah Municipality in Hooghly Protest Over Unpaid Salaries, Warn of Disruption to Services

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, December 1, 2024,  Hooghly  :  Temporary employees of the Chinsurah Municipality in Hooghly have been raising concerns over unpaid salaries, which they claim have not been disbursed for several months. Their grievances have led to frequent protests at the municipality, with employees taking to the streets nearly every month to voice their dissatisfaction. Recently, the situation escalated as these employees went on strike, resulting in the failure of street lamps to light up in the city.

Despite these ongoing issues, the employees allege that no significant action has been taken by the municipal authorities to address their concerns. On Saturday, tensions reached a peak when the temporary workers surrounded the mayor and councilors during the municipality's monthly board meeting. The siege lasted for approximately four hours before the mayor and councilors were finally freed.

In response to the continuing impasse, the temporary employees issued a stern warning that, starting from December 2, they would cease all municipal services. They have also taken their protest to the streets, riding in toto (auto-rickshaws) and broadcasting their message through loudspeakers across various parts of the city. The employees have been actively informing the public about their plight and seeking solidarity from the residents. Posters are also being distributed in different areas of Chinsurah, further spreading their message.

The employees, who work in several departments, including water supply, electricity, and garbage collection, have announced that they will suspend their work from tomorrow. This disruption in services is expected to create significant challenges for local residents, who rely on these municipal services in their daily lives. Many citizens have expressed concern about the potential impact, with some raising questions about the fairness of the situation.

One resident, Shampa Jana, shared her frustration: “If we do not get water from tomorrow, it will be a big problem. Where will we work from? The mayor of the municipality will have to see to this."

The issue stems from the fact that Chinsurah Municipality, despite collecting municipal taxes from the public, has been struggling with financial instability. Reports suggest that the municipality’s expenses far exceed its income, leading to delays in salary payments and ongoing unrest among temporary workers.

It is reported that approximately 2,500 temporary employees work across various departments of the municipality. The delays in salary payments have created an ongoing cycle of protests, with no resolution in sight. As the situation continues to unfold, residents and local authorities are bracing for further disruptions to essential services, with a growing demand for a sustainable solution to the municipality’s financial woes.