Thu Sep 25 16:11:36 UTC 2025: Here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:

**Thoothukudi Contract Workers Protest, Demand Fair Wages and Benefits**

**THOOTHUKUDI, September 25, 2025 (The Hindu) –** Contract workers employed by the Thoothukudi Corporation, including divers and conservancy staff, staged a demonstration in front of the Corporation office on Monday, demanding improved wages and benefits. Organized by the Thoothukudi Corporation’s Rural Development and Local Body Employees Union (RDLEU), the protest saw a large turnout of employees who submitted petitions outlining their grievances.

Key demands include a wage increase to ₹725 for contract workers and ₹763 for drivers and valve operators. The protesters are also calling for the abolition of the private contract policy, a COVID-19 allowance of ₹15,000, and a Deepavali bonus of ₹10,000 for all contract staff. Furthermore, they are advocating for the implementation of the old pension scheme for permanent conservancy workers and the provision of health insurance cards.

V. Karuppasamy, President of the RDLEU’s Thoothukudi Corporation branch, and Secretary L. Ramamoorthy, led the demonstration, highlighting the urgent need for the corporation to address the workers’ concerns.

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