Six protesting outsourced sanitation workers fired in Chandigarh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 18

Amid the ongoing strike by sanitation workers against not being given the Diwali bonus, six outsourced sanitation workers at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, who have been a part of the agitation, were fired by their service provider here today.

A letter written by the outsourced agency, Kulwant Singh Security Agency, reads: “It was brought out to the notice of the company by the principal employer that you are acting as an instigator and have been disrupting housekeeping services at the GMCH since November 13. It has also been found that you, along with others, join in nefarious activities and have been threatening and manhandling other safai karamcharies so that they do not render their services even in the emergency/ ICU wards.”

“It is also heard in an audio clip that you were instigating people to dump the garbage on the hospital premises. It indicates that you are not serious in performing your duties. This kind of behavior at work can result in putting lives at risk in the hospital. It displays general negligence and irresponsibility on your part and hence, your services are no more required and you are relieved from your duties with effect from November 18. You are advised to return the ID card issued to you by our firm,” the letter further reads.

Around 300-odd sanitation workers went on a strike on Monday, leaving the sanitation services of the GMCH-32 disrupted. The dustbins placed at corridors and wards reeked of medical waste.

Om Kailash, the chairman of the GMCH-32 Safai Karamchari Union, said their agitation would continue.