Sanitation workers on strike in East Delhi refused to end their agitation for salaries on Tuesday, despite the Delhi Government announcing financial aid to the municipal corporation on Monday.
A five-hour-long meeting between representatives of workers’ unions and East Delhi Municipal Corporation officials on Tuesday yielded no results, with both sides refusing to budge. The safai karamcharis have been on strike since June 2 as they haven’t been paid their wages for April and May. Addressing workers of the North and East Delhi civic bodies on Monday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that the government would give the corporations Rs.500 crore to pay salaries and pensions till May 31.
Rajendra Mewati, the president of the Delhi Pradesh Safai Mazdoor Union, said: “What about next month? The corporation will not be able to pay salaries again, and we will have to go on strike again.”
However, officials said the workers unions’ demands had increased, to include regularisation of temporary staff, medical insurance and arrears.
EDMC spokesperson Y.S. Mann said: “Discussions are still on with the workers. But, meetings have been inconclusive so far.”
