From Thursday onwards, the Samaj Samata Kamgar Sangh has announced a chain hunger strike at Azad Maidan, Mumbai demanding ‘Equal Work Equal Pay’ for the 8045 contract workers employed by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).

Despite the NMMC's adoption of the ‘Equal Work Equal Pay’ policy in 2007, the proposal to implement this policy has languished in the Urban Development Office for the past 18 months, along with other pending demands of the workers.

The demands put forth by the labour union include:

1. Payment of arrears for equal pay for equal work from November 1st, 2007, onwards.

2. Full implementation of the ‘Equal Work Equal Pay’ policy for all contract workers within the NMMC.

3. Inclusion of workers such as insecticide spraying and chemical fumigation workers, pump operators, welders, multi-purpose workers, and gardeners in the skilled category.

4. Ensuring that future wage increases for permanent workers match those of contract workers.

5. Extending benefits provided to permanent workers, such as grace grants, earned leave, medical leave, compensatory leave, medical expenses, provident fund, and uniforms, to contract workers.

The labour union has issued a stern warning, asserting that the agitation will continue until the rightful demands of the workers are met by the authorities.