Sanitation workers demand State govt. to hold talks; plan to protest at Perambur or Panaiyur

Sanitation workers in Chennai continued their indefinite protest for the 14th day on Wednesday, pressing for permanent jobs, maternity leave and other demands. The protest, led by the Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam, has been seeking an eight-point package of measures for conservancy workers in the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC).

Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam president K. Bharathi said the government had not invited the workers for talks despite their continuous protest at the Ripon Buildings. “If the government does not invite us for talks within three days, we are ready to come on to the streets and protest again,” he said.

Mr. Bharathi said the next protest could be held at the Perambur Assembly constituency office, Panaiyur or outside the Corporation Commissioner’s residence, among other locations. He said the workers would decide on the next course of action if the government failed to initiate talks within two or three days.

Meanwhile, actor Ambika met the protesters at the Ripon Buildings on Wednesday and extended her support to the sanitation workers’ agitation.

On Tuesday, workers held a parai drumming demonstration at the Ripon Buildings campus.