Sanitation Workers Strike in Madurai City – Public Faces Hardship

Sanitation workers across Madurai City Corporation have launched an indefinite sit-in protest starting today. As a precautionary measure, all entry points to the Corporation office have been sealed and heavy police security has been deployed.

The protest is being staged in opposition to Government Orders (G.O.) 152 and 139, which encourage the privatization of municipal, city, and town panchayat services. The protesters are also expressing solidarity with the ongoing sanitation workers’ strike in Chennai.

The workers demand the immediate withdrawal of G.O. 152 and 139, which they claim jeopardize the future of long-serving employees by handing over key civic duties to private contractors.

Key Demands of the Protesters:

1. Withdrawal of Privatization Orders
   • Cancel G.O. 152 and 139 that promote the outsourcing of corporation services to private agencies.
2. Minimum Wage and Festival Bonus
   • Implement G.O. 62 (31) to provide a minimum daily wage of ₹26,000 for sanitation and engineering division workers.
   • Grant one month’s salary as Diwali bonus to all division workers.
3. Action Against Private Contractors and Officials
   • Remove the private contractor “Overland” from corporation projects, accusing them of acting against the interests of sanitation workers.
   • Take action against officers allegedly harassing and disrespecting labor unions and employees.

Possible Impact on the Public

Due to the strike, waste collection and sanitation work across Madurai may be disrupted. Accumulation of garbage is expected in many areas, potentially leading to hygiene and public health issues.

The protesters urge the Corporation administration to immediately begin talks and negotiate a resolution. They stress that these same demands were raised during a similar protest in June, and accuse the government of failing to address them seriously.

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As the strike intensifies, Madurai residents brace for the fallout, hoping for swift government intervention to restore normalcy.