Garbage collectors go on strike to protest non-payment of salary

Mangaluru: Antony Waste Handling Cell (Pvt) Ltd, who has been entrusted to collect waste from the city, went on a strike on Tuesday.

Mumbai-based company, Antony Waste collects thrash from the houses and transports it to the garbage dump-yard at Vamanjoor. 680 workers spread over 150 vehicles are involved in the task of collection and transportation of garbage.

The workers protested against the MCC for not clearing the due amount of Rs 4.5 crore. However, it has been learnt that Rs. 1.75 crore was credited to the bank.

The corporation assured the company to credit Rs 50 lakh to its account on Wednesday. It is also gathered that as per the bilateral agreement, additional money arising out of revision of minimum wages and hike in petrol and diesel costs have also to be paid to the company by the corporation since a year.

Mayor, Kavita Sanil and officials held a meeting with the representatives of the company on Tuesday evening to settle down the matter. The corporation reportedly promised to clear the dues, and the garbage collection is expected to resume by today. The mayor said that the company has assured to take up garbage collection work from today.