Raipur: The drivers engaged through placement contracts in Raipur Municipal Corporation along with other urban bodies in Chhattisgarh have laid down their tools from today. The action taken by employees in this strike has affected very critical and fundamental sectors such as sanitation and water supply of the 70 wards in Raipur city. At least 400 drivers are striking in Raipur and more than 20 thousand employees across the state.
The striking workers are calling for the elimination of contract labor system, direct wage payments and an honorarium for labor of ₹4,000. They claim that the existing contract system leaves them to working for low wages and no employment security.
On the same day, employees of Raipur Municipal Corporation did not start performing their daily duties early in the morning, instead the garage truck drivers assembled at Tikrapara police station to finalise the call for an indefinite strike. The protesters have threatened to keep on with the protest until their demands are met half way. Employees have complained that for a long time now, no progress has been made in response to their complaints and pointed out that the rights they are demanding are right and justified as they cannot live an embarrassed life of workers.
Due to the strike, there is collection of garbage in the neighborhoods and drinking water supply has stopped. People in the city are already experiencing the effects of the strike with fears of increased cases of spread of diseases affecting the urban population.
The state government is yet to address the situation. Depending on the duration of the strike a major public health concern is likely to emerge in Raipur and the rest of the affected areas. On the other hand worker Trade unions have said that they are prepared to negotiate but not on the issues fundamental to their demands. The authorities and the residents are waiting for a resolution of the conflict while tension still persists.
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