Sanitation workers call off strike after meeting Karnal MC Commissioner

Sanitation workers of the Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC), who were on strike since Tuesday opposing the mandatory online attendance system, called off their strike on Wednesday evening after a positive dialogue with KMC Commissioner Dr Vaishali Sharma.

Nearly 1,100 sanitation employees were on strike, demanding changes in the newly implemented digital attendance policy, which had led to delays in the disbursal of their June salaries due to non-compliance. The strike significantly affected sweeping and cleaning operations across the city.

After the meeting between the MC administration and the representatives of the employees, several key issues were discussed and resolved. The union agreed that the employees would now mark their attendance through the online system as required by the state government.

“We were against the mandatory online attendance system and now we have agreed to mark the attendance after a healthy discussion with the Commissioner and other officials of the MC,” said Veerbhan Bidlan, vice-president of the employees’ association.

He said the authorities had assured them that the two-day strike would not lead to salary deductions. Besides, shelters would be constructed in designated areas to make it easier for the employees to mark their attendance.

He said that constructive discussions were also held on the issue of “equal pay for equal work.” The union placed a demand for the provision of tablets (tabs) to facilitate attendance marking. Vaishali Sharma said the employees agreed to resume their duties after the meeting.

Earlier, hundreds of sanitation workers held a gate meeting outside the MC office, raising slogans and pressing for their demands.