Safai workers call off strike

After striking work for 14 days,safai workers called off their agitation on Thursday after the government agreed to issue appointment letters to 8,265 contract employees by November 30.

The strike had affected 136 municipal committees and councils across the state and with polls around the corner,the government finally succumbed to the workers demands. The safai workers,however,have threatened to strike again if the government doesnt keep its word.

Kuldeep Sharma,general secretary of Punjab Safai Workers Union,said: Our meeting with Raminder Singh,local bodies director ,ended with this commitment that appointment letters will be issued in a few days. So,we gave the government time till November 30. This was our main demand and other seven demands also stand.

Admitting that for 14 days,garbage had piled up on roads,he said: Our workers will work overtime to clear the roads.

Safai Karamchari Welfare Board chairman Raj Atikai,however,added: Apart from regularising the employees,even medical check up camps will be set up in offices after every 3 months so that diseases if any can be detected. In addition to this,all those employees who have retired between 2004 and 2008,can apply for pension benefits and the forms will be available in offices till December 31.

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