Over 4,000 safai karamcharis in Noida region stage protest, demand end to contract work

Contract-based employment leaves workers vulnerable, said Bablu Parcha, the state president of Akhil Bhartiya Safai Mazdoor Sangh, warning of an indefinite strike if the demands are not addressed.

By: Express News Service

Noida | Updated: September 24, 2024 09:13 AM IST

2 min read

sanitation workers protest, Noida safai karanchari strike, contractual employment, Indian express news

At the protest in GB Nagar. (Express Photo)

Warning of an indefinite strike, more than 4,000 sanitation workers of three industrial development authorities in the Noida region staged a protest Monday demanding an end to contractual employment. Meanwhile, Noida Authority Chief Executive Officer M Lokesh said work is on to find a solution.

Chanting ‘Baba Sahab Amar Rahe’ and ‘Valmiki Samaj Zindabad’, the workers employed with the Noida Authority, Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) and Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) gathered at Mayawati Park in Gautam Budh Nagar. The protest was led by several unions of sanitation workers.

“The contract system undermines our life… We put our lives at stake without any security. Where will my children go?” asked Amit Kumar, a safai karamchari with the Noida Authority.

Contract-based employment leaves workers vulnerable, said Bablu Parcha, the state president of Akhil Bhartiya Safai Mazdoor Sangh, warning of an indefinite strike if the demands are not addressed. “The officials have been making false promises for a long time now. This time we will not get fooled,” Parcha asserted.

“We have worked for the authorities for years,” said Babli Devi, 45, a protesting worker employed with GNIDA. Despite having worked half her life for the authorities, she complains that she is still treated like a temporary labourer. “We want to provide for our families without the constant fear of losing our jobs,” said Devi.

Noida CEO M Lokesh said the protesting safai karamcharis had written to all three authorities. “We are looking into the matter. As per the law, they are hired through different agencies. We will work to find a feasible solution,” he said.

An official from GNIDA, meanwhile, said no safai karamcharis working under the authority were protesting. “Our safai karamcharis are busy with the Chief Minister’s (Yogi Adityanath) visit that is scheduled for Tuesday,” he said.