Garbage heaps mount, but Punjab sanitaton workers refuse to end stir

Bathinda: With garbage heaps mounting across Punjab, sanitation workers of the state on Wednesday dug in their heels, refusing to end their strike till demands for regularisation are met, while taking out protest marches in several towns.The strike by Municipal Mulazam Action Committee and Safai Sewak Union had begun on May 6. Workers are demanding regularisation of the services of all outsourced and contractual employees, restoration of old pension scheme and a hike in the minimum salary of contractual workers.Sanitation workers have rejected the contractual policy notified on Feb 21, 2023, under which contractual employees become eligible for regularisation only after completing 10 years of service. Committee adviser Kuldeep Kumar termed the policy "anti-employee", saying workers wanted regularisation under the policy that existed before Feb 2023. They are also seeking an increase in monthly wages from Rs 10,000 to Rs 40,000.He alleged the state govt was trying to divide workers by holding talks with sanitation employees who were not part of the strike. Residents complained of foul smell from mounting waste dumps and urged the govt to resolve the issue before it triggers health concerns. Punjab director (local govt) Kulwant Singh said the govt was working towards a solution.