Members of the Tamil Nadu Amma Unavagam Workers Welfare Association staged a black-dress protest at the Erode Collectorate on Monday, demanding an increase in their wages and extension of social security benefits.
The workers, led by Tamil Nadu Government Employees’ Union leader Vengidusamy and association president Selvi, submitted a petition to the District Collector.
They said similar petitions were being submitted by Amma Unavagam workers in several districts to the respective Collectors, urging the State government to revise their monthly wages from the present ₹325 a day to a fair wage.
They also sought coverage under the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) and Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) schemes, medical benefits and a weekly holiday.
The workers said their wages should be revised based on the fair wages fixed by the Collectors for different categories of workers. They also urged the government to supply groceries of uniform quality to all Amma Unavagams across the State.
As part of their protest, the workers have been wearing black sarees for the past week to draw attention to their demands.
They warned that if their demands were not addressed, they would stage a protest in front of the Secretariat in Chennai shortly.
Several Amma Unavagam workers participated in the protest.
