Highlights
- The sanitation workers have put forth several demands, including those related to salary
- The strike by the safai karamcharis was announced on Wednesday
- The civic authorities have declared the strike illegal
Safai Karamcharis of the Mathura Municipal Corporation in Uttar Pradesh announced a strike on Wednesday, over their various demands. Some demands were also related to salary issues.
"We will not budge until our 11-point demands are met," said a leader of the protesting sanitation workers.
He claimed that while Safai Karamcharis in other civic bodies are paid wages of 30 days every month, those in Mathura get payment for only 26 days.
Their other major demands included the release of salary increments and the distribution of uniforms.
Meanwhile, the civic authorities have declared the strike illegal.
Action under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) would be taken against those not joining duty on May 26, Municipal Commissioner Anunay Jha said.
"They were invited for a dialogue but, instead of coming for the discussion, they continued shouting slogans outside the office in violation of prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 clamped over a fortnight ago," an official said.
According to officials, while an increment of more than 50 per cent of the employees has been cleared, the rest of the files are under process.
They said the distribution of uniforms for women employees would start from June 1.
(With inputs from PTI)
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