Workers associated with ‘West Bengal Karmabandhu’ do part-time work, mainly as helpers, under the state government. In particular, karmabandhus are employed as cleaners or night watchmen.

The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government introduced the concept of karmabandhus to help multiple departments and recruit staff as well.

A notification issued in this regard read, “In terms of finance department memo No. 7284-F(P2)/ FA/ 0 / 2M-l dated 27/ 11/ 2017 remuneration of part-time karmabandhu paid out of contingency was enhanced to Rs 3,000 per month with effect from 01/01/2018. The question of revision of remuneration of part-time karmabandhus was under active consideration of the government for some time. Now, the government has decided that remuneration of part-time karmabandhus paid out of contingency would be enhanced to Rs 5,000 per month. No other allowance would be admissible to them. This order shall take effect from 01.09.2024.”

A senior official said, “The government tried to increase their [karmabandhus] allowance before Durga Puja but for several reasons, this could not be done. Now, the government announced to give them increased remuneration from September 1.”