Standoff between Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government and BJP ruled three Municipal Corporations in the Capital region may halt civic services such as garbage disposal and sanitisation works again as thousands of <g data-gr-id="47">safaikarmis</g>(sanitation workers) of East Corporation who went on indefinite strike from
Monday while employees of North Corporations are expected to join in a couple of days.
Notably, the Capital had witnessed a similar situation <g data-gr-id="46">inend</g> of March when nearly 70,000 sanitation workers, who are fourth grade employees, had gone on strike demanding release of their salaries.
The move of sanitation workers had resulted in garbage pile-ups in every nook and corner of the city and the crisis, in all probability, will deepen this time as the workers are reluctant to resume work.
On Monday morning, nearly 13,000 sanitation workers stopped collecting garbage from their respective areas and cleaning streets demanding immediate release of their salaries along with fulfilment of other promises.
The workers claim their salaries have not been paid since April and demand full payment of dues.
“We need to be paid two months’ wages. We are hungry, we don’t have anything to feed our children with, which is why we are here on the streets protesting. During the earlier strike, we were assured that we would get our salaries on time but the Corporations have failed to do fulfil their promise. In one or two days, employees of other Corporations will also join us as they have also not received salaries for the past two months,” said Rajendra Mewati, leader of sanitation workers.
Like the earlier strike, sanitation workers not only refused to clean up the streets, but gathered at various locations and dumped rotting garbage on the streets.
“The EDMC is responsible for paralysing civic services as it is not willing to pay our salaries. We want the government to take notice and give us our dues. If they pay us our wages, we are willing to return to work tomorrow (Tuesday),” said Mewati.