Hyd water workers left in limbo over delayed payments

Hyderabad Water and Sewerage Corporation (HWSC) employees face severe financial distress as delays in the payment of salaries, pensions and retirement benefits have pushed many workers into extreme hardship, with some reportedly losing their lives while awaiting long-overdue dues.

In a distressing development, union representatives said retired labour leader Raja Khan Palari, who had been waiting for his retirement benefits for four years, passed away recently after prolonged illness and financial hardship. He was 64 and had served in the former WASA setup for decades before retirement.

Workers' representatives claim that Palari was suffering from liver disease, but was unable to continue treatment due to lack of financial resources as his gratuity and other retirement dues had not been paid. They alleged that delays in disbursement of pensions and benefits directly contributed to his deteriorating condition and eventual death.

The Mehraj Workers Union has further claimed that several other retired and serving employees are currently bedridden and unable to afford medical treatment, while waiting for salaries and pensions reportedly delayed for up to 17 months.

Union leaders also recalled that only a few months ago, a contract employee allegedly took his own life after facing financial hardship linked to non-payment of wages. They warned that continued delays were pushing workers into increasingly desperate conditions.

According to union representatives, while hundreds of employees remain unpaid, senior officials of the corporation allegedly received advance salaries for May 2026 ahead of Eid, raising serious concerns among the workforce over financial mismanagement and disparities within the organisation.

The union further alleged that contract and work-charge employees received only one month's salary before Eid, while regular employees and pensioners continued to await pending payments.