Admn says sanitation workers’ strike is over, protesters say otherwise

Home Secretary Anurag Agarwal and other officials met the union leaders on Monday evening. Later, a statement issued by the UT administration said, “After adequate discussion, the union assured the administration that the ongoing agitation will be immediately called off and all safai karamcharis will join their duties and immediately clean up the city.”

M M Sabharwal, Joint Secretary (Local Bodies), said, “The administration assured the employees that all their demands would be looked into and resolved expeditiously. The protesters, in turn, assured that they would immediately clean up the city and resume work.”

However, leaders of the Safai Karamchari Union, who met Agarwal, said they have not called off the strike. “As of now, the strike continues. On Tuesday morning, we will discuss the assurances given by the administration with all employees and seek their views. Only then will a decision be taken,” said union president Krishan Kumar.

Union’s Chief Advisor Brijpal Mehrolia, meanwhile, said only a consensus by sanitation workers could lead to the strike being cancelled.

Among other things, the protesters have demanded regularisation of 134 daily wagers, employment of family members of deceased workers, provision of DC rates to contractual employees and provision of soap, jaggery and oil to garbage vehicle drivers.