Doraha raises a stink as sanitation workers’ stir enters Day 7

Garbage once again started piling up in Doraha after sanitation workers resumed their indefinite strike from July 7 in view of the state government “failing to meet their demands that had been accepted”.

Earlier, sanitation workers’ union was on strike for 15 days, from June 6 to June 21.

This time around, garbage has not been lifted from the town for seven days now, presenting a sorry state of affairs.

Residents say heaps of garbage can be seen at collection points, on roads and in residential areas. While the protesters are adamant to continue their strike, come what may, residents urged the state government to intervene before the situation gets out of control.

Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Payal Manwinder Singh Giaspura, however, feigned ignorance and said he was not aware sanitation workers were on strike. “As far as their demands are concerned, they have already been accepted and shall be granted soon,” the MLA added.

The sanitation workers said they had already waited for nearly a month for fulfilment of their demands.

“We were promised that sewer workers and sweepers who have worked under private contractors for three years will now be brought under state government employment. Salaries would be credited into their bank accounts without any middleman. The monthly salary was to be raised to Rs 15,100. We were also assured the workers would now be entitled to statutory benefits, including provident fund, group health insurance, gratuity, maternity leaves and casual leaves, as per the law. The government also assured any employee who completes ten years of service will be regularised and absorbed into government service. The government assured fulfilment at the earliest, but nothing has materialised on the ground,” said Rocky Sahota, district secretary, Safai Sewak Union, Punjab.

“We waited patiently and more than a month passed without any positive signals. Hence, we resumed our strike,” he added.

“We don’t like the public facing inconvenience but we are a part of the society as well and have every right to fight for our just demands. We are out of the most deprived sections and need immediate government attention. We have been working day in and day out in deplorable conditions to keep the town clean and residents’ disease-free. But our efforts have borne no fruit. When the government fails to honour its promises, we are compelled to continue our struggle. We will not halt the strike until concrete action is taken,” one of the protesters said.

“One can imagine the authorities’ lack of concern regarding the town’s deteriorating sanitation. On one hand, the government talks about improving health through better sanitation facilities; and on the other, it shows no urgency in resolving the strike which has entered its seventh day,” said another protester.

Residents said they were “fed up” as the town’s condition continued to worsen by the day.

“The authorities should not allow the matter to drag on. Garbage is lying unattended in several localities and foul smell is becoming unbearable. We fail to understand why the government is not paying heed to the demands of sanitation workers,” said Khushaal Jaggi, a resident.