Promises not met, New Delhi sanitation workers threaten strike

Thousands of sanitation workers across all three municipal corporations are threatening to go on an indefinite strike over promises made to them that were not kept. Neelam Pandey reports.

Thousands of sanitation workers across all three municipal corporations are threatening to go on an indefinite strike.

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They said that the unified municipal corporation had promised to make them permanent employees and give them arrears — promises that are yet to be fulfilled.

If the workers go on strike, then the problem of waterlogging and dirty roads is set to compound further in the next few days.

Thousands of workers, under the banner of the All India Safai Mazdoor Congress (AISMC), on Friday held a demonstration outside the zonal office of the civic agency and are now planning to escalate the issue by staging a protest outside Raj Niwas on Wednesday.

They have also sent a letter to the Lt Governor's office and the labour department, informing them about the strike and the protest to be held at Raj Niwas.

The sanitation workers are responsible for cleaning stormwater drains and sweeping the streets. According to sources, some of these daily-wagers have also been cleaning the drains of the Public Works Department (PWD).

"If our demands are not met, we will go on an indefinite strike and none of us will work for the duration," said Rajesh Beniwal, president of Delhi Pradesh of All India Safai Mazdoor Congress.

He said in case a sanitation worker, while carrying out his duty, meets with an accident, the civic agencies do not even provide any help.

"Whenever any employee faces such a problem, the first question that the officer asks is whether the employee is a daily wager or a permanent staff. This is sheer discrimination; daily wagers don't get any benefits,' he added.

The union has also demanded that shelters be created for women workers who face difficulties vis-à-vis availability of washrooms and keeping their personal belongings.