E Delhi sanitation workers to go on strike from today

NEWDELHI: The Capital’s eastern parts are staring at a civic crisis as hundreds of municipal sanitation workers announced on Tuesday to strike work, a move that could overrun roads and neighbourhoods with mounds of rotting garbage this Diwali.

The Swachhta Karamchari Union, which calls itself the biggest worker union of East Delhi Municipal Corporation with 11,000 members, called an indefinite strike from Wednesday over non-payment of salaries, bonuses, and arrears due from 2003.

“The repeated financial crisis shows the inefficiency of civic agency in running the system. This time there will be an infinite strike unless all financial issues are sorted out,” said Sanjay Gehlot, president of the association.

The rival Swatantra Majdoor Sanyukt Morcha, a union with members in the city’s three civic corporations, also announced a strike from October 16.

The protest raised fears of a repeat of the crisis this January when a strike by 16,000 munici- pal employees brought the national capital on the brink of a civic lockdown and sparked fears of disease.

Roads and residential areas were strewn with waste and a putrid smell shrouded east Delhi that produces 2,800 tonnes of garbage daily.

“No matter where and how the funds are arranged, we want our pending salaries, bonus, arrears and cashless medical insurance for employees. The EDMC needs at least ₹2,000 crores to fulfil these demands,” Gehlot said.

The corporation has not paid its sanitation workers since September.

Mayor Neema Bhagat called their demands legitimate.

THE WORKERS HAVE CALLED THE STRIKE TO PROTEST NONPAYMENT OF SALARIES, BONUSES, AND ARREARS DUE FROM 2003

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