AICCTU has been in the forefront of the struggles in Bangalore demanding minimum wages of sanitation workers, regularization of contractual workers and also same pay for same work. They had sought the support of the students in this struggle. On 3 March, several students from several colleges in Bangalore, including St Joseph’s, St Aloysius, Mount Carmel, and others demonstrated in front of Town Hall, in support of AICCTU led Powrakarmikas (Sanitation Workers) demands including minimum wage Rd. 14,400, regularization of contract workers, Same Pay for Same Work, and others.
The Corporation Mayor of Congress who visited the spot had to make a retreat as students disapproved her negative remarks on union and workers struggle. The Mayor, instead of implementing government order on minimum wage, started defending indefensible BBMP for its non-implementation.
AICCTU had also sought students support for the sanitation workers strike and gherao of Bangalore Municipal Corporation through socially conscious teachers and students. The students chose to have an independent demonstration. A street play was also staged. The response was spontaneous and overwhelming.
