My name is K. Muthulakshmi. I have been working as a sanitation worker in Anaikoottam Panchayat, Virudhunagar District, since 2013. When I joined work, five other workers joined along with me. For many years, we received only ₹4,100 per month, which was lower than the salary we were entitled to receive.

During meetings conducted by the Madurai Legal Awareness and Coordination Committee, we learned about our rights and realized that we were being underpaid. The team advised us to submit a petition to the District Collector along with the relevant government order. After we submitted the petition, officials conducted an inquiry and checked our records and bank details. They found that we had indeed been paid less than the approved salary.

The Block Development Officer then directed the Panchayat authorities to provide the correct salary. After verification, an arrears amount of ₹7,030 for the previous two months was credited to each of our bank accounts. For many years, we worked for low wages. With the support of the Madurai Legal Awareness and Coordination Committee, we were able to receive the salary that we deserved. We are thankful for their guidance and support in helping us secure our due wages.

Mrs. K. Muthulakshmi, Anaikoottam