Chennai sanitary workers enter Cooum river against privatisation plan
Chennai: Sanitary workers on Monday stepped into the polluted Cooum River to protest against the privatisation of solid waste management in parts of the city. The protest was aimed at drawing the attention of the government and the Greater Chennai Corporation to their long-pending demands.
The workers have been agitating for over three months against the civic body’s decision to hand over solid waste management in two zones to private agencies. They fear that the move could lead to job losses and are demanding the regularisation of their services.
On January 5, several sanitary workers, including women, holding placards and raising slogans, entered the sewage-filled river up to waist level. They opposed the Corporation’s plan to allow private operators to take charge of waste management in the Thiru Vi Ka Nagar and Royapuram zones in north Chennai.
Police personnel, with assistance from Fire and Rescue Services staff, entered the river and removed the protestors. The workers were taken to a nearby community hall and later released, police officials said.
K Bharathi, president of Uzhippor Urimai Iyakkam (Movement for the Rights of Workers), said the agitation has been going on for the past 158 days. He pointed out that the workers had earlier staged protests at burial grounds and beaches and would continue their struggle until their demands are met.
He also expressed disappointment that while the government has held talks with other protesting groups such as nurses, government employees and teachers, it has not initiated discussions with sanitary workers.
“If the government agrees to hold talks with us and address our concerns, we are ready to withdraw the protest,” Bharathi was quoted as saying.
(with inputs from agencies)
