The United Electricity Contract Workers Union (CITU-affiliated) has appealed to power contract workers across Andhra Pradesh to participate in large numbers in the 'Chalo Vijayawada' programme on August 10. The march is being held by the union seeking immediate resolution of long-pending issues affecting thousands of workers in the electricity sector.In a press statement on Sunday, P. Anil Kumar, President, CPDCL, United Electricity Contract Workers Union, said contract workers have been serving the power sector for decades and play a crucial role in ensuring uninterrupted 24x7 electricity supply to consumers. Despite their contribution, they continue to face low wages, job insecurity, hazardous working conditions, inadequate medical facilities and the absence of retirement benefits, he said.The union leader noted that workers risk their lives by climbing electric poles in all weather conditions—day and night—to restore power supply, yet their efforts have not received due recognition. The union alleged that thousands of contract workers who dedicated their youth to the electricity sector continue to face an uncertain future.He urged the government and power utilities to immediately address their long-pending demands. These include abolition of the third-party employment system and merger of all contract workers into the power utilities, implementation of equal pay for equal work, payment of minimum wages to piece-rate workers, retirement benefits of ₹20 lakh, unlimited medical insurance, risk allowance for CBD gang and breakdown workers, salary revision for shift operators recruited during 2019–20, issuance of pay slips to all workers, and constitution of a Pay Revision Commission (PRC) for 52,000 employees and contract workers.The union leader appealed to contract workers, their family members, trade union leaders and democratic organisations to participate in large numbers in the August 10 protest in Vijayawada. The struggle would continue until the workers' legitimate demands were fulfilled and called upon all employees to unite to secure their rights, he added. Published - July 26, 2026 07:40 pm IST