A section of Kudumbasree units engaged in door-to-door collection of solid wastes will go on a token strike on Friday in protest against the Corporation’s ‘inability’ to meet their demands.
The workers had been complaining that they were being made to do the work of Corporation Health Department employees, on a meagre pay. In fact, the collection from the houses was their only income, workers said.
The Corporation was supposed to provide them gloves, vehicles to transport waste, and other such equipment. Such requirements were seldom met. Their pick-up autorickshaws were in a very bad condition, they said.
The token strike would be a precursor to the proposed indefinite strike. Such a situation would be disastrous as the units were instrumental in removing waste from 90 per cent of residences in the city and other establishments. The city would stink if waste collection stopped, they said. Corporation Health standing committee chairperson Janamma Kunhunni said she was not aware of the strike plan. The situation would be under control and the Corporation did not intend to rely on Kudumbasree units alone for garbage collection, she said.
“In fact, we are planning a massive campaign from October 2 seeking to involve the public in the collection of plastic wastes,” she told The Hindu . Corporation community development society chairpersons P.P. Sheeja and K. Beena said they were unaware of any such move.
