No permanent solution, no safai work, say sanitation staff

NEW DELHI: Sanitation workers in east Delhi have decided to continue with their strike until the BJP ruling the three corporations and Delhi government provide a permanent solution to them regarding their salaries. The strike was called by 20 associations of municipal employees of North and East Corporations.

Leader of Mazdoor Vikas Sanyukta Morcha, Sanjay Gehlot said, "We need a permanent solution to our problems, so we will continue with the protests."

The safai karamcharis have threatened to hold a massive protest outside deputy CM Manish Sisodia's residence on Monday morning, the third time in two weeks, to put forth their demands.

East Delhi continues to remain filthy despite two agencies - East Corporation and PWD - being engaged in garbage disposal. The mounds of waste now pose a serious health hazard to residents.

Residents have started posing questions to safai karamcharis as to why they are still on strike despite the government releasing the money. "Every area in east Delhi is severely affected. If the mess is not cleared in a couple of days, it will start affecting public health," said Kavita Sharma, a resident of Anand Vihar.

East Corporation mayor, Harsh Malhotra has appealed to the staff to resume their duties from Monday. He warned that if safai karamcharis fail to resume work, action will be taken against them. "Most of the employees have called off the strike. Strict action will be taken against those municipal employees who do not join duty on Monday as we have released their salaries till January," he said.

However, safai karamcharis are not concerned just about their salary. "Delhi government has given loan to corporations and they have released salaries up to January. But this is not going to solve the problem in the long run. We do not want to protest every two-three months for our salary," Gehlot said.