Waste collection work resumes amid protest

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 23

Residents of the city have received a partial respite from the situation which had arisen after the strike by workers of a private company engaged in solid waste management by the Municipal Corporation.

Only a section of the employees have resumed the garbage collection work.

The employees went on strike on Sunday and stopped the work of garbage collection to protest against the company and the Municipal Corporation for their failure to provide them salaries for the last two months.

Even as the Municipal Corporation had assured to release salaries for one month on Tuesday and for the second month before April 30, only a section of the employees bought the argument and insisted that they be given salaries immediately.

However, some employees who were seen lifting garbage said that they fear that Municipal Corporation might pitch in its own resources or even might give a short term tender for lifting which would render them jobless.

“The driver gets a monthly salary of around Rs 8,200 and helper around Rs 6,000. So we do not have much bargaining power. All we want is that our jobs are safe and we want regular salary,” said an employee.

However, as the garbage collection system has collapsed and heaps of garbage can be seen at various places in the city. Some of these heaps have also started emanating foul smell which is also irrigating residents.

Meanwhile, Manoj Kumar, in charge of the firm, said the matter had been resolved to a great extent as salaries had been disbursed to employees for one month.

He said that they hope that the work would be resumed from Wednesday.