BMC to give jobs to kin of staffers dying on COVID-19 duty

(Eds: Updates with BMC circular)

Mumbai, May 4 () The Brihanmumbai MunicipalCorporation (BMC) on Monday said the legal heir of itsemployees will be given jobs in case they die while performingcoronavirus-related duties.

Jobs will be given on compassionate grounds anddepending upon educational qualifications of the next of thekin of civic employees who die while fighting COVID-19, theBMC said in a circular issued in the night.

The circular said depending upon the educationalqualifications and vacancies, the legal heir will beaccommodated in posts such as labourer, ward boy, peon,executive assistant and junior account supervisor.

Earlier in the day, a labour union of the BMCdemanded that civic staff dying while performing dutiesrelated to the coronavirus outbreak must be given "martyrstatus" and all resultant benefits.

In a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister UddhavThackeray, the Municipal Union said civic staff were riskingtheir lives while ensuring the outbreak is contained, addingthat three BMC employees, including an assessment inspectorserving in hotspot Dharavi, had died due to the infection.

The letter, signed by Municipal Union secretaryRamakant Bane, demanded that kin of such persons be givenbenefits like a free flat, job to an heir on compassionategrounds as per educational background, Rs 50 lakh ex-gratiapayment, free education to children, and salary disbursementtill date of retirement.

On Sunday, BEST Workers' Union had demanded financialaid of Rs 1 crore and other benefits for a supervisor at theundertaking's Backbay Depot who succumbed to coronavirusinfection.

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and TransportUndertaking is providing bus services in the metropolis andsurrounding areas during the lockdown in place since March-end. KK BNMRSY RSY