As a result, several staff members have been complaining of cough, cold and skin infections. So, along with their office kit they now carry lots of spare handkerchiefs, napkins and most importantly, a protective mask. ``Also, something keeps falling off the ceiling that stings,'' the staff told Express Newsline. ``The municipal commissioner had assured us that everything would be taken care of in the new office but the authorities did not even bother to get the cement cleared off the floor before we were made to shift here,'' they said. And this is not the end. Yet another department is scheduled to be shifted to a cement godown at Bakri Adda in Byculla shortly.

The threedepartments in the Common Services Building have not been given a staff of sweepers and do not have access to toilets or drinking water taps. The office has to depend on neighbouring offices for sweepers. ``The office has been cleaned only thrice in two months,'' the staff complained. One toilet in the office, meant exclusively for the bosses, overflows at times making working all the more difficult.

The staff members have complained to Sharad Rao, president of the Municipal Majdoor Union (MMU) but are not quite satisfied with his response. Rao was not available for comment.

The staff members have complained to the municipal commissioner, Girish Gokhale, as well. The commissioner is believed to have visited the godown-office this morning before office hours. ``This clearly means that he wanted to avoid us,'' said a staffer. The staff has also approached Suhasini Parab, chairperson of the Roads and Transport Committee, for help. She refused to comment on the issue.

So for now the staff is going tomaintain a wait-and-watch attitude. But they are planning to file a writ petition for which a database is being prepared by keeping a tab on the number of people falling ill. ``We are going to compile doctors' certificates so that our case is strong,'' they said.