Sanitation takes hit as workers’ strike enters Day 2 in Tarn Taran

The indefinite strike by sanitation workers, sewer men and other employees of the local municipal council continued for the second consecutive day on Thursday as they pressed for their demands, leading to heaps of garbage accumulating at several places in the city.

Earlier, the sanitation workers had gone on a strike for over a month, which was called off after the government agreed to their demands. However, the employees have resumed the agitation over other issues, including regularisation of sanitation workers’ services, restoration of the old pension scheme and implementation of the principle of equal pay for equal work.

Addressing the protesting employees, organisation president Balwinder Singh said the government was treating them unfairly and forcing them to work on meagre allowances. He criticised the Punjab government for allegedly ignoring their demands.

Several other leaders, including Tilak Raj, Judge Pal, Kala, Surjit Kumar, Harjit Singh, Joginder Pal, Bakshish, Pradeep Kumar, Raj Rani, Sukho, Americo, Biro and Kamlesh, also addressed the gathering.

Meanwhile, the strike has affected sanitation services in the city, with garbage piling up and sewerage blockages reported at several places.