Surat: Workers’ union leaders, members and job seekers staged a protest outside the district collector’s office on Thursday, demanding that Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) halt recruitment for sanitation and other posts through contracting agencies.Protesters said SMC is planning to appoint workers on a contractual basis for multiple positions, a move they opposed by holding demonstrations that included a shirtless protest by some leaders to draw attention to their demands.Those protesting shirtless were detained by police and were later released.Union representatives alleged that contractual recruitment would adversely affect the job prospects of thousands of aspirants who are seeking stable employment with the civic body. They said SMC had traditionally hired workers on a regular basis and questioned why the system is being changed now.Protesters also raised concerns about wage practices under manpower-supplying agencies. They claimed contractors do not pay workers their full salaries and that a significant portion of the per-worker payment made by SMC is retained by contractors instead of reaching employees working in the field.The demonstrators argued that contractual appointments create economic insecurity and instability for workers, adding that the impact extends beyond employees to their families.
