Ludhiana sanitation workers protest against privatisation of garbage collection

Members of the Door-to-Door Mazdoor Ekta Sangathan staged a protest against the municipal corporation’s decision to award a Rs 170-crore contract to a private firm for door-to-door garbage collection, at the MC’s Zone D office today.

The protest was marked by black flags, slogans and emotional appeals from sanitation workers, who fear losing their livelihoods. The protesting garbage collectors reached the MC office in their carts that they use for collecting garbage.

The union submitted a memorandum to the Municipal Commissioner, demanding the immediate cancellation of the three-year contract and protection of existing workers’ jobs. Union president Surinder Taank criticised the corporation’s outsourcing move and stated that, “Why is the corporation outsourcing? We have been keeping the city clean for years. You can’t just discard us and hand over the work to private hands.”

Tara Chand, who has been lifting garbage in Ludhiana for over two decades, stood silently for a moment before speaking, his voice heavy with uncertainty. “I’ve been doing this work for 20 years. I know every street, every household. People recognise me, they trust me. Now suddenly, they say a private company will take over. What will I do? I’m not trained for anything else. I’ve built my life around this job. If they take it away, I’ll be left with nothing — not even dignity.”

Sunita, a mother of three who has been lifting garbage for 15 years, expressed her anguish with desperation. “This job is my lifeline. I wake up before sunrise, collect the garbage and come home to feed my children. My husband passed away five years ago and this is the only income we have. If they take this away, how will I survive? How will my children eat? I’m not asking for charity. I’m just asking to keep on doing the work that I’ve been doing with honesty and pride.” Her voice trembled, but her resolve was clear — she wasn’t just fighting for a job, she was fighting for her family’s survival.