Chandigarh, Sep 11 (PTI) Sanitation workers in Haryana, who had been on strike for more than a month, on Friday announced the end of their agitation after their representatives said an agreement was reached with the government concerning their key demands.
Ministers Vipul Goel and Krishan Kumar Bedi held talks with representatives of the sanitation workers’ union, reaching common ground, following which the leaders met Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and announced the end of their strike.
The government has agreed to a wage hike and allowances, health and insurance benefits, and measures related to leave, promotions and recruitment for sanitation workers and sewermen.
Speaking to reporters, state president of the Nagarpalika Karamchari Sangh, Naresh Shastri, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the chief minister on behalf of the striking workers.
“The chief minister listened to us and agreed to our demands. Written assurance has been given, and with this, our strike that has been going on since August 6 has come to an end,” Shastri said.
The strike had led to widespread disruption to sanitation services, with piles of garbage strewn in urban areas.
Shastri had earlier said the employees’ principal demands include regularisation of sanitation workers and abolition of the contract system.
The contract system was causing serious financial and administrative problems for sanitation workers, he had said.
During the meeting with the ministers here, several demands of sanitation workers were accepted or received in-principle approval, according to an official statement issued afterwards.
It was agreed that sanitation workers would receive a uniform allowance of Rs 440 per month instead of a one-time allowance. On the demand for equal pay for equal work and payment of arrears, the statement said eligible employees had already received the dues.
Sanitation workers on municipal rolls are also being extended the benefit of leave travel concession as per instructions. Directions have been issued for annual medical check-ups of sanitation workers and sewermen on regular municipal rolls and those engaged through Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam Limited. The check-ups will be conducted through the Health Department at the expense of the respective urban local bodies, according to the statement.
The government also gave in-principle approval to extend the medical cashless policy applicable to government employees to regular employees of urban local bodies, pensioners and their dependents.
Instructions for payment of a risk allowance of Rs 2,000 per month to sanitation workers on municipal rolls have already been issued, while it was agreed to extend the benefit to regular employees as well.
In-principle approval was also given to enhance the compensation under the Mukhyamantri Haryana Karamchari Durghatna Bima Yojana from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh in the event of the death, while on duty, of safai workers on municipal rolls, including sanitation workers, sewermen and safai darogas/head sewermen.
The government also agreed in principle to include sanitation workers and sewermen on municipal rolls under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana-CHIRAYU, with the respective urban local bodies bearing the annual premium of Rs 9,203 per employee.
Other proposals that received in-principle approval included providing a total of 20 days of medical leave in a calendar year and amending the relevant service rules to enable eligible sanitation workers and sewermen to be promoted to clerical (Group C) posts.
The monthly wages of sewermen working on municipal rolls will also be increased by Rs 2,100. Sanitation workers and sewermen engaged through outsourcing agencies will be ensured the prescribed minimum wages, while eligible employees will also be provided ESI and EPF benefits.
It was further agreed that once the government determines the process for recruitment against vacant posts of sewermen and sanitation workers, the selection criteria will be finalised within one month and an advertisement issued within 15 days thereafter, the statement said.
The days lost during the strike will be adjusted through additional work, the statement said, adding that under the Job Security Act, there is a provision for employment to a family member and gratuity following the death of an employee, which can be extended accordingly.
Meanwhile, a meeting was also held between the government and the Haryana Fire Services Employees’ Union, during which in-principle agreement was reached on many of their demands. PTI SUN PRK
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