But working in the 100 ft x 200 ft area on the first floor of the Common Services Building, is proving to be a nightmare for the 300 employees. Layers of cement are not just confined to the floor here, they are everywhere -- on the tables, chairs, fans, between files and papers, even in the air one breathes. 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 toldExpress 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 three departments 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. 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 thismorning before office hours. ``This clearly means that he wanted to avoid us,'' said a staffer. So for now the staff is going to maintain 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.