Solid Waste Management and Recycling

106 JAAP BROEKEMA

In reality the differences are even more pronounced. The average monthly salary of
the interviewed private and MCH kamatans – the vast majority of labourers is female

• for example, was Rs 1,120 and Rs 3,360 respectively. On average the private
  labourers received Rs 200 less than the stipulated minimum wage. Furthermore,
  within the private sector there was a slight difference in payment between kamatees

Box 5.2. Labour conditions on paper

Labour conditions of MCH labourers

Salary: the wage structure consists of the basic pay rate augmented with dearness allowances, fitness

benefit, HRA, and CCA. The basic pay is dependent on the number of years in service and ranges from

Rs 1,360 to Rs 2,360.

Allowances/goods: there are a number of additional allowances that are not included in the basic salary.

Every labourer receives Rs 30 dirty work allowances per month, and Rs 15 washing allowances. In

addition every worker receives 2 pieces of soap per month, 1 bottle (975g) hair oil per 3 months, two

towels, 2 sari’s (shirts) and one pair of shoes per year.

Leave days: there are 15 casual leaves and 7 optional leaves. If they are not used these leaves will be

lost. In addition there are 30 leave days that can either be used or exchanged for money. A total of 240

days of leave will be paid after retirement. Furthermore, there are 15 medical leaves per year. If they

are not used, half of these are paid after retirement.

Maternity leaves: every pregnant labourer has 90 days of maternity leave. There must be a two-year

interval between the pregnancies. There will be an increment if the labourer decides to engage in fam-

ily planning (provided there are no more than two children).

Pension: the pension is calculated as half of the basic pay including allowances. If the labourer dies the

pension will be given to the partner until his/her death. In case the partner also deceases the pension

will be given to the son until the age of 24 years, if it is the daughter, up to her marriage.

Provision of bus pass: all the MCH labourers are provided with a bus pass. The MCH is compensating

50 percent of the costs and the labourers are paying Rs100 per month.

Health Insurance: if a labourer is subject to an accident he will be paid for treatment.

Safety equipment: hand gloves, nose masks

Labour conditions of private labourers

Salary: the contractor shall pay the labourer minimum wages as fixed by the Commissioner of Labour,

i.e. Rs 1,300 per month.

Provident Fund (PF) and Employees State Insurance Scheme (ESI): the contractor should contribute to

the E.S.I. and Provident Fund every month for each worker engaged by him at the rate of percentage

fixed by the E.S.I. and P.F. authorities.

Leave days: the private labourer should have 3 leave days per month

Safety equipment: hand gloves, nose masks