MCD health workers’ strike enters 3rd week

Even a day before Diwali, the struggles of Domestic Breeding Checkers (DBC) and Multi Task Staff (MTS) of the Public Health Department in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi remain unresolved. The workers have been staging a continuous protest at Gate Number 5 of the Civic Centre headquarters since 29 September, demanding equal pay and grade parity, compensatory jobs for families of deceased workers, and medical and earned leave.

For the past 21 days, the employees have braved extreme weather conditions, including heat, cold and rain, while holding their ground. Despite occasional visits and support from opposition leaders, the workers say they have largely been left to fight alone. The ongoing strike has also brought fogging and spraying operations across the city to a halt.

Madan Pal, president of the Anti-Malaria Ekta Karamchari Union leading the strike, said the employees’ demands have not been addressed. He highlighted that on October 14, the Mayor assured that the issues would be resolved before Diwali, giving workers hope that their homes would be lit for the festival. “Unfortunately, that did not happen, leaving 5,000 families in darkness”.

The MTS employees plan to observe a Black Diwali at Gate Number 5 of the Civic Centre, symbolically protesting against the administration’s inaction and highlighting the plight of 5,000 affected families.