DEHRADUN: Hundreds of
sanitation workers
in Dehradun staged a
protest
at the district magistrate’s office on Friday, asserting that the promises made to them remain unfulfilled despite numerous discussions with govt officials.
The agitation commenced last Dec, initially seeking improved pay and benefits, and implementing recommendations from the Lalit Mohan Rayal committee, established by chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in 2021 to safeguard these
workers
under labour laws.
On Friday, another memorandum outlining their
demands
was submitted to district administration officials.
Vishal Birla, the state in-charge of Akhil Bhartiya Safai Mazdoor Sangh, said, “Our protests and collaboration with UPNL workers in Feb concluded with sincere assurances from govt. While we acknowledge the fulfilment of one demand regarding the regularisation of over 800 workers from parishad committees, none of our other requests has been honoured.”
Workers highlighted a “recurring pattern of unkept promises” by govt. “This planned protest march was halted following requests from senior police officers. Despite constructive meetings with the chief secretary, the principal secretary to the CM refused to take substantial action on our requests on March 12, prompting this renewed protest,” Birla added.
With another cabinet session passing without addressing their grievances and the implementation of the model code of conduct imminent ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the workers’ optimism is waning.
“Nevertheless, we remain steadfast in our fight for rights. We are prepared to strike again, even amid govt threats. A summer strike by sanitation workers could precipitate a crisis for the state,” a protesting worker said.
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