Sanitation Workers In Bhubaneswar Call Off Cease-Work Stir But With A Rider

Bhubaneswar: Protesting sanitation workers called off their cease-work strike after another round of discussion with Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das on Wednesday morning.

However, they have warned to hit the street again if their demands are not met within 2 days.

Over 700 sweepers of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) had been protesting at Raj Mahal Square since Monday, demanding an increase in their monthly salary from Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000. They are also not keen on segregating waste.

Following the stir, leftover street food, dry leaves, used polythene and paper packets were found strewn across many streets in 50 out of the total 67 wards in the city where sweeping have been suspended since Monday morning.

Sources said that the civic body may  accede to the demand of sweepers to relieve them of segregation job since a survey in July last year had revealed the segregation of waste generated from sweeping of roads was very low in the state capital due to poor handling by sanitation workers.

The Mayor had earlier sought 15 days’ time from sanitation workers to relieve them of the segregation work.