Garbage continued to pile up across the city for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, as sanitation, transport and malaria workers of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) continued strike. With talks failing , the union leaders said they would continue to remain off work till their demands were met.
With the staff unavailable to collect and transport garbage, trash from households was being dumped in road-side bins which was overflowing in several places in the city. Several residents from different localities said that the situation would only worsen on Wednesday.
Vinay Kapoor, secretary, Bharatiya Mazdoor Union (BMS), said that a total of 24,000 sanitation, transport and malaria workers were on strike on Tuesday, and would continue to do so until the State government gives in to their demands. “When we went to talk with them, they told us that the Chief Minister is not available, so no decision could be taken,” he mentioned.
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The demands of the unions, include increasing the minimum wages of contract workers to Rs.14,170 and Rs.17,380 for permanent employees.
The other demands include issuing PF, health cards and housing for the workers. “Things can get worse if the strike continues, especially during Ramzan as the streets get very dirty everyday,” said Mannan Khan, a resident of Musheerabad.
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Faruq Ibrahim, who runs a shop near Nayapul pointed out that more garbage is generated during Ramzan, due to the increased consumption after Iftar, and also because there are several eateries in the Old City which spring up during the month.
“I hope the strike ends soon, or the GHMC at least does something,” Faruq Ibrahim added.
When contacted, Ravi Kumar, Additional Commissioner (sanitation), GHMC, said that transport vehicles were moving without any hassle on Tuesday, and did not say anything further.