Daily wage workers of the Forest Department have urged the State government to enhance their salaries in line with the recently revised minimum wages for workers in the unorganised sector.

They stated that they currently receive less than ₹16,000 a month and that even these wages are not paid regularly.

Addressing reporters here on Monday, H. Chandrappa, State president of the Association of Daily Wage Workers of the Forest Department, said that more than 7,000 workers, who have been serving the department for several years, receive monthly wages ranging from ₹12,000 to ₹16,000. Except for those employed under the Wildlife Divisions, none of the workers receives provident fund or Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) benefits.

“Many workers have been serving the department for over 10 years. However, the government has not considered increasing their salaries. We are attached to the offices of the Range Forest Officers (RFOs), who hardly maintain attendance records and process payments through outsourcing agencies. Workers in the Shivamogga district have not received their salaries for the last three months,” he alleged.

Mr. Chandrappa further said that senior officials of the department had directed the RFOs to submit details of daily wage workers who have completed more than 10 years of service. However, many RFOs had failed to furnish the information.

“They are unwilling to verify old records and submit the required details. Moreover, attendance registers are not maintained properly,” he said.

According to him, more than 400 such workers are employed in the district alone without adequate wages and statutory benefits. “The government has fixed the minimum wage for workers in the unorganised sector at ₹24,000 a month. We request the government to treat us on par with workers in the unorganised sector and extend the same minimum wage to us,” he demanded.

Daily wage workers Venkatesh G., Vijayamma, Jnanesh, Sandeep and others were present at the press conference.