Maharashtra Employees Union Appeals to Public Representatives and Civic Administration for Equal Pay and Permanent Service Benefits
By Swayam Khandge-Patil | NaviMumbaiLive.com
Navi Mumbai: The Maharashtra Employees Union has strongly demanded that contract and fixed-honorarium employees working with the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) be granted a minimum monthly salary of ₹35,000, along with equal pay for equal work, permanent absorption into service, and comprehensive health insurance coverage.
Union President Ravindra Sawant has submitted a memorandum to Mayor Sujata Patil, Municipal Commissioner Kailas Shinde, Opposition Leader Vijay Chougule, Shiv Sena Group Leader Manoj Haldankar, Member of Parliament Naresh Mhaske, and MLA Manda Mhatre, urging immediate intervention on behalf of thousands of employees struggling with inadequate wages.
Rising Inflation Making Survival Difficult
According to the union, a large number of civic employees continue to work on meagre honorariums despite performing essential duties. With soaring inflation, employees are finding it increasingly difficult to manage children’s education expenses, healthcare costs for senior citizens, house rent, and day-to-day household expenditures.
The union stated that the current remuneration structure no longer reflects the economic realities faced by workers and their families.
Allegations of Discrimination in Salary Hike
Sawant alleged that on February 14, 2023, the civic administration increased the salaries of a select group of fixed-honorarium employees from ₹20,000 to ₹35,000 per month. However, the benefit was reportedly restricted to only a few employees, leaving many others excluded.
“This selective implementation has created dissatisfaction among workers and raises questions about fairness and equal treatment,” Sawant said.
Reminder of Promise to Regularise Employees
The union also recalled a recent announcement made by Forest Minister and Palghar Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik, who had assured that contract and fixed-honorarium employees would be regularised.
However, the union claims that no concrete steps have been taken to implement the promise. Sawant further argued that House Leader Sagar Naik should have prioritised a proposal for employee regularisation instead of focusing solely on honorarium revisions.
He also expressed disappointment that the issue of permanent absorption has not yet been strongly pursued in legislative and cabinet discussions.
Proposed ₹7,500 Hike Termed Inadequate
Sources indicate that an upcoming General Body meeting may consider a proposal to increase honorarium allowances by approximately ₹7,500 for fixed-honorarium employees.
The union, however, believes that such an increase would be insufficient given the prevailing cost of living and inflationary pressures. It has reiterated its demand for a minimum monthly salary of ₹35,000 for all eligible employees.
Demand for Health Insurance Coverage
The Maharashtra Employees Union has also sought the implementation of a Mediclaim health insurance scheme for fixed-honorarium workers.
The union pointed out that many employees are forced into debt when faced with medical emergencies. It noted that transport department employees were previously covered under a health insurance policy worth ₹5 lakh and demanded that similar protection be extended to all contract and honorarium-based staff.
Graduate Employees Deserve Fair Compensation
The union further highlighted that the NMMC administration recently increased the salaries of honorarium-based engineers to ₹40,000 per month.
Sawant argued that many employees working in the transport department and other civic establishments are graduates as well and therefore deserve salaries in the range of ₹35,000 to ₹40,000 per month.
Call for Equal Pay Across Departments
The Maharashtra Employees Union has urged the administration and elected representatives to ensure justice for conductors, drivers, transport staff, and all fixed-honorarium employees under the principle of “Equal Pay for Equal Work.”
The union has demanded that all such employees receive a minimum monthly salary of ₹35,000, along with job security, equal treatment, and essential welfare benefits.