Garbage lifting in Madurai city comes to a standstill as conservancy workers go on strike

Demanding the ouster of the private agency outsourced by the Tamil Nadu government immediately, the conservancy workers’ affiliated to various trade unions commenced their strike on Monday (October 5).

As a result, the garbage, which had piled up, across the 100 wards in Madurai city, could not be cleared. In many extension areas and around Sri Meenakshi Temple, near Periyar bus stand and other locations, the garbage was strewn on open spaces.

The workers staged a sit-in protest in front of the Anna Maaligai, the headquarters of the civic body, demanding the attention of the government.

Speaking to media persons, CITU district secretary M. Balasubramanian said that they had been seeking the termination of the private agency, outsourced to clear the garbage for over one year. The private agency had not only violated the norms, but also was ‘anti-labour’.

With the Corporation also not coming to their rescue, the workers had no other option but to resort to the strike.

The demands, Mr Balasubramanian said, were just and genuine.

For a city population of about two million, the Corporation should post a minimum of 8000 workers to clear garbage and other activities.

However, there were only 3900 workers (or say approximately 4000), which was insufficient. The workload has been heavy during festival days and on other occasions.

Despite assurances given several times in the past by the officials, since nothing had moved in a tangible manner, the workers had no other option but to resort to the strike, he said.

The officials said that the contract with the private agency comes to close on November 16 and appealed to the workers to drop their strike and come to work.

When they asked to give it in writing that the contract would not be renewed, the officials said that it had to be decided by the Director of Municipal Administration as it was a matter of policy, which only the government can implement.

Not in agreement, the workers said that they would continue the strike.

A senior official said that a meeting with the officials in the Municipal Administration, Chennai, has been planned on October 6 (Tuesday) with the representatives of the trade union among others.

Meanwhile, the workers announced that the strike would continue in the city.