Safai workers call off month-long stir

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, August 17

The Municipal Karamchari Dal (MKD) called off its dharna and agitation going on for the last one and half month after a meeting with MC Commissioner Jaskiran Singh in the Zone D office here today.

Vijay Danav, chairman; Chaudhry Yash Pal, vice-chairman and Om Pal Chanalia, president of the Valmiki Samaj Bachao Andolan, who led the deputation of safai workers in the meeting, claimed that all their pending demands had been accepted.

Danav demanded immediate withdrawal of ‘no work, no pay, order issued by the MC.

Further, the MKD leaders asked the MC to stop door-to-door collection of garbage by A to Z Waste Management Company and the same should be handed over to safai workers. They also wanted the implementation of the notification issued by the previous government for regularisation of contract/ daily paid workers.

Danav and other MKD leaders pointed accusing fingers towards the A to Z Company, saying it had failed to properly discharge waste handling and disposal work and strict action would be taken against the company for its failure to deliver.

The MC Commissioner was also asked to order an inquiry into safai workers being made to work as domestic help in the houses of councillors and MC officials. The deputation wanted timely payment of salaries to safai workers and recruitment on compassionate grounds of eligible family member of the deceased workers.

Responding to the demands put forth by MKD leaders, MC Commissioner assured them that the work of door to door collection of garbage would be taken back from the private company and safai workers would be deployed in its place. On regularisation, he said the issue was under process and further announced that effective steps would be taken for timely payment of salaries to safai workers, issue pass books to workers giving details of deduction of provident fund and provide insurance/ health insurance cover to sewer men, firemen and safai workers.

He said the entire working of A to Z Company would be looked into and action taken, where warranted for lapses and deficiency.