Unwilling to budge, the unions leaders participating in the ongoing strike by contract staff of the GHMC said they would get back to work only when some of their issues are addressed.
“No one called us for talks. Apart from increasing salary, providing healthcare and housing, sweepers in the city do not have any kits to pick up garbage,” said Vinay Kapoor, secretary, Bharatiya Mazdoor Union (BMS). He added that many of the workers pick up dirt and trash with their bare hands as the civic body does not provide necessary tools for their work.
Nearly 24,000 sanitation, transport and malaria outsourced workers of the GHMC have been on strike since Monday in the city. Another union leader, U. Gopal, said the strike will be intensified if their problems are not resolved.
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These include regularisation of contract staff, wage hike to Rs. 16,500 from Rs. 8,500, issuance of health cards, multi-speciality hospitals in all give zones and others.