MCD’s dengue control staff on strike for 10 days

Though dengue season is at its peak in the national capital, Delhi’s first line of defence against mosquito-borne diseases, Domestic Breeding Checkers (DBC) and Multi-Task Staff (MTS) of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), have been on an indefinite strike for the past 10 days.

The protesting employees, who are part of the Public Health Department, are demanding equal pay and grade parity, compensatory jobs for families of deceased workers, and medical and earned leave.

Despite several meetings with MCD officials, the strike continues, bringing fogging and spraying operations to a halt across the city.

“This is the peak dengue season, but the MCD doesn’t seem to care neither for us nor Delhiites,” said Madan Pal, president of the Anti-Malaria Ekta Karamchari Union leading the strike.

“They’re getting work done by staff from other departments who aren’t even deputed here. Some don’t even know how to operate the spraying machines,” he added. Devanand Sharma, general secretary of the union, said officials, including the Mayor, had agreed that their demands were legitimate but failed to act.

“Every time we protest, they say our demands are justified. But no file moves forward. We had a one-day strike on July 22 which ended after assurances that the issues would be resolved within a week. Even after three months, nothing has changed,” he said.

Workers allege wage disparity within the department. “Since 2012, around 250 workers have been receiving grade and variable pay, while the rest are neglected. We all hold the same post, yet the administration looks the other way,” said Indraj Kaushik, vice-president of the union.

With most ground staff on strike, dengue-control operations have stalled. “They make tall claims on controlling the outbreak. When all workers are sitting on protest, who’s actually doing the work?” asked Madhu Bala, another member of the union, adding that many workers earn just Rs 16,000-Rs 17,000 a month despite decades of service.

Opposition leaders have backed the protesters. Ankush Narang, Leader of Opposition in the MCD, said, “For the last 10 days, fogging, spraying and tank inspections have been halted. Delhi has reported 431 malaria cases, 840 dengue cases, including 81 fresh cases last week, and 75 chikungunya cases, highest in five years.”

Mukesh Goyal, senior councillor and Indraprastha Vikas Party leader, urged the civic administration to intervene immediately. “The ongoing strike is worsening the mosquito menace. The MCD must address the workers’ demands without delay,” he said.