Crematoria workers threaten to stop operations as they are unpaid for a year

Bengaluru: As bodies are oiling up in crematoria and cemeteries after a surge in Covid-19 cases, workers at these facilities have warned the administration of shutting them down because they haven’t been paid for more than a year.

Crematoria workers say that this the last option left as they haven’t been paid despite being assured time and again.

State general secretary of Dr BR Ambedkar Dalita Samithi, A Suresh said that nearly 280 workers have not received their salaries for more than a year. He said, “Despite many protests and requests, all that we have got are assurances.”

The city has around 50 graveyards and 12 electric crematoria. Two of the crematoria are not in working condition. After the rise in Covid cases, workers said that they are getting 7-10 bodies every day at each crematorium. The time taken to create has now gone up to 3-4 hours. Summanahalli, Panathur, Bommanahalli, Medi Agrahara and Kengeri crematoria have been reserved for Covid-19 victims. The Kengeri facility is not functioning now.

Raju, an employee of Hebbal electric crematorium has stated that the time taken to cremate a body is at least 45 minutes to 1 hour and people have to wait as no other crematoria are functional. Raju has not been paid for 14 months.

The salary of crematorium workers is Rs 14,500 and after deductions, they get Rs 10,500, as told by Ravi, a worker at the Summanahalli facility. He said, “Many people ask why crematoria workers seek money from those who visit the facilities. The reason is that we have been working without salary for a year now.” Ravi asks if BBMP can reserve funds for yet-to-be elected representatives, then why can’t they pay for those who work day and night?

Crematoria workers had organised a protest on March 23 demanding their wages, and BBMP officials held a meeting on March 29, saying that they would be released.

Workers yet to be vaccinated

Even though BBMP held a vaccination drive for healthcare workers and frontline staff, crematorium workers were not taken into consideration for it. Raju says that while handling the bodies, they are exposed to the virus yet they are not considered as frontline workers. He says, “We will have no other options but to stop operations.”

Will order release of salary

Gaurav Gupta, BBMP commissioner said that he did not know that crematoria workers hadn’t been paid. He added, “I will order the immediate release of their salaries.” He also said that he will take the matter of vaccination drive for crematoria workers to higher officials and see if a drive can be conducted for them.