NEW DELHI: Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today pitched for a parity in salaries of sanitation staff and IAS officers, saying the Government should do it if people engaged in cleaning works have to be given dignity.
At a meeting of the labour wing of his Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Paswan also demanded that the practice of cleaning of sewerage and drainage by sanitation workers manually be declared a crime as it at times leads to their death, caused by noxious gases.
He told reporters that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had done “historic” work by emphasising on cleanliness and ensuring that even senior Government officers take brooms to participate in sanitation drives.
But those really doing the work continue to live in pitiable circumstances, he lamented.
“Such a system needs to be upended. For this I demand that if we have to give respect to sanitation workers, if we believe in dignity of labour, then their salaries should not be less than IAS officers,” the LJP chief said.
Dignity of labour exists in countries outside but not in India, he said. (AGENCIES)
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