EDMC proposes regularisation of contractual sanitation workers, union says strike on

The BJP-led East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) Wednesday decided to begin the process for permanent employment of contractual sanitation workers who were recruited after March 31, 1998, officials said.

The standing committee of the EDMC passed a resolution to this effect, days after a section of sanitation workers of the civic body went on strike demanding regular payment of salaries and regularisation of workers.

"It is learned that sanitation workers employed after March 31, 1998 have not been regularised, which is a major reason for them feeling mentally harassed, and it amounts to their exploitation," the resolution said.

"This standing committee therefore resolves to begin work on regularisation of sanitation workers hired after March 31, 1998, and that after getting funds from the Delhi government, they be compensated," it said.

The president of MCD Swachhata Karmchari Union, Sanjay Gahlot, however, claimed that the EDMC commissioner has said "he will examine the issue, and only then take a decision on it".

"Since, there is no assurance of this resolution reaching its desired end from the authorities side, we will continue with our agitation in east Delhi. Tomorrow (Thursday), we will go and protest in front of the residence of former east Delhi mayor Neema Bhagat," he said.

The EDMC has around 16,000 workers, half of whom are permanent employees.