Mangalore: Two women work for Rs 15 a month!

Mangalore, 17 Oct 2012: Two more people working in separate government institutions paid meagre amount for their service has been unearthed by the Human Rights Protection Foundation.

 

Elizabeth (68) and Padma (62) who are working as sweepers in the Government Teachers’ Training School at Balmatta and Fisheries Junior College in Malpe respectively were being paid a meagre sum of Rs 15 per month as wages.

 

 
Padma & Elizabeth

 

The incident has given room for doubts as to more such cases might be present in the district. Recently the Supreme Court  in its judgemnet in similar case of Akku and Leela, directed the authorities to pay the  two sweepers with the wage according to the norms.

 

Addressing media persons on Tuesday, Human Rights Protection Foundation President Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag said that Elizabeth and Padma have served the  colleges for 43 years and 42 years respectively. Going by their ages, both have  retired from service and yet continues to serve in the college.

 

“The government documents reveal that both hadbeen appointed on a regular basis.

 

However, they have been paid a meagre salary Rs 15 per month. Since Akku and Leela have won the legal battle in the Supreme Court, Padma and Elizabeth too have approached the authorities in the Education Department, requesting them to pay the full wages, along with the interest right from the day of their appointment,” he said.

 

Padma said that she is struggling to lead her life with a meagre pay. “I have been managing my livelihood with additional amount given to me by the Parent-Teachers Association and Betterment Committee of the College,” she said.