Bhubaneswar: Sanitary workers of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) today resorted to a cease-work protest, disrupting sanitation services in many wards of Odisha capital.
Gathering in significant numbers under the Rajmahal overbridge here, the workers voiced their grievances and demanded an increase in their salary to Rs 15,000. They also refused to get involved in waste segregation work.
They accused both the State Government and the civic body of ignoring their pleas for a salary hike despite repeated requests.
“We demand a monthly salary of Rs 15,000. Besides, the BMC should hire separate workers for waste segregation. Despite enduring harsh working conditions, the government hasn’t addressed our concerns,” said one of the protesting workers.
Echoing similar sentiments, another protester said, “We are responsible for maintaining the city’s cleanliness, yet we lack basic necessities like gloves and soap. We refuse to collect garbage until our demands are acknowledged. The authorities should empathize with our situation.”
