Over 4,000 sanitation workers from the Noida, Greater Noida, and Yamuna Expressway authorities staged a strike on Monday, gathering near the Mahamaya flyover in Noida. The workers are demanding an end to the contract employment system, which they argue undermines their rights and job security.
The protest, led by the Akhil Bharatiya Safai Mazdoor Sangh, highlights the workers’ key demand to be made permanent employees of their respective authorities. State president Bablu Parch emphasized the vulnerabilities faced by contract workers, stating, “We work for the authorities, but under contractors who do not provide us with the benefits we deserve.” He further criticized the current system for lacking adequate wages and benefits.
Amid rising tensions, local authorities deployed a significant police presence to maintain order. The workers have threatened to escalate their protest to an indefinite strike if their demands are not met promptly.
“We have organized a massive protest at the district level, expecting around 10,000 workers to join us,” Parch noted. The sanitation workers plan to meet with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during his upcoming visit to Greater Noida for an international trade show starting September 25. “This is our long-standing demand. We will not allow false promises to derail our efforts this time,” he asserted.
Seema Devi, a contractual worker, shared her frustrations: “We work tirelessly, but we’re treated like temporary laborers. The contract system doesn’t give us any job security or benefits.” Another worker, Mahesh, echoed her sentiment, stating, “We are fighting for our dignity and future.”
As the protest escalated, workers moved towards Dalit Prerna Sthal, disrupting traffic and raising slogans against the authorities. They acknowledged the critical nature of sanitation services in light of the upcoming trade show and assured that essential services would continue, particularly in areas expecting VIP presence.
However, the strike has already begun to affect residents, with reports of garbage piling up in various locations due to the absence of sanitation workers. Ranbeer Janghara, district president of Sanyukt Morcha Safai Karamchari, stated, “If authorities fail to address our demands, we will join the agitation in large numbers after the trade show.”
Currently, there are approximately 7,000 contractual sanitation workers under Noida authority, around 2,000 under Greater Noida, and 530 under Yamuna authority, earning monthly salaries ranging from ₹14,000 to ₹20,000.
In response to the strike, a Greater Noida authority official claimed that none of their employees are participating in the protest due to ongoing preparations for the chief minister’s visit. Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M confirmed receipt of a letter from the sanitation workers and stated that they are reviewing the situation to find a lawful resolution.
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