Sanitation workers unions call off strike, rift among leaders

Sanitation workers unions today decided to call off their three-day-old strike following an assurance from Delhi Government, even as a section of workers said that they will continue their protest till all their demands are met by the authorities.
"We have decided to call off the strike after a meeting with Delhi Minister Sandeep Kumar who assured us that the government will give the remaining portion of grant for this financial year in December.
"The decision to call off strike was also taken in view of the approaching Diwali festival," Sanjay Gehlot, president of Swatantra Mazdoor Vikas Sanyukt Morcha, said.

Claiming that the Morcha represented 27 unions of MCD sanitation workers, Gehlot said the meeting was held after the strikers dumped garbage in front of the residence of Delhi Assembly Deputy Speaker Ram Niwas Goyal and burnt effigy of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
A senior government official said that Delhi Government will release the remaining portion of its annual grant to MCDs in December although it is payable in March next year.
The government will also make efforts for payments of arrears of sanitation workers, he added.

However, another sanitation workers leader Rajender Mewati accused Gehlot of taking unilateral decision of calling off strike without the approval of executive of the Sanyukt Morcha, adding that the strike will continue.

Meanwhile, Joint Front of MCD Unions General Secretary Santlal Chawariya welcomed calling off the strike.
"We will hold a meeting of the Unions affiliated to the Joint Front tomorrow to consider the developments," he said.
There are about 63,000 sanitation workers, including regular employees and daily wagers, employed by the three MCDs in the city, a municipal officer said.
A section of them had gone on strike on October 23 pressing for fulfillment of their demands, including regular payment of salaries, payment of arrear dues, regularisation of contractual workers and cashless health card.