Sanitation workers refuse to collect garbage over delayed salaries

Mangaluru: Even before the sanitation workers strike in Bengaluru causing problem to the city for a couple of days has come to an end, a similar problem has emerged in Mangaluru on Thursday.

On Thursday, the sanitation workers of Antony Waste Management Company protested and refused to collect garbage accusing the company of not paying them their salaries. Due to this protest, garbage collection was not conducted in Mangaluru on Thursday.

“Unless and until all the workers receive their monthly salaries, we will not report to work,” informed the protesting workers of Antony institution. “The 2.10 crore rupees to be paid by MCC to Antony institution was paid on Thursday afternoon, therefore garbage collection will resume like usual on Friday,” informed sources from MCC.

Rain worsens garbage stench

On the Thursday morning, the sanitation workers left out to collect garbage but then parked their vehicles at Kulur yard and refused to collect the garbage. Because of this, garbage started piling up all throughout Mangaluru. Heaps of waste could be seen at Mangaluru market and other places. Amidst this, the continuous rains only worsened the situation by mixing with the waste and giving rise to obnoxious stench.

“Every month there has been no one who gives ears to the problems of the workers. They are not fulfilling the demand of giving the monthly salary on a particular day. We received April salary on May 28^th. This month, the salary should have been given by June 10^th. There is still no sign of it. Only by protesting and not collecting the garbage can we bring forth our problem. Therefore, garbage collection was not conducted on Thursday,” said a worker.

“There are nearly 600 workers giving their service in the company. There is information that MCC has paid the money to the company. Once the amount is distributed into the accounts of the workers, the garbage collection will resume from Friday,” he informed.

MCC become alert at the last moment!

This is not the first time the workers are protesting on not receiving their salaries due to the bickering between MCC and Antony waste management company. A similar situation was created last November too. The workers protested for 2 days by not collecting the waste. In 2016, a similar strike was done by the workers due to which garbage collection had come to a standstill. A similar protest took place a couple of times more. MCC realized that the workers were conducting the protest due to not availing their salary and at the last moment intervened and paid up the remaining amount. In the last year-and-a-half, the city has witnessed this type of delay in salary payment to the workers due to which they have protested 5-6 times.

Garbage collection begins from today

“The monthly amount of 2.10 crore rupees that was to be paid to Antony institution was paid through a cheque on Thursday evening.  Due to the model code of conduct in force and the pressure on the officials due to other works, it was not possible to provide the money. On the backdrop of the money given, the garbage collection will continue as per usual from Friday onwards,” informed Naveen D’Souza, president, health statistics committee, MCC.