Noida Sanitation Workers Stage Protest Over Department Merger and Unfair Workload
In a significant demonstration of labor unrest, nearly 200 sanitation workers, organized under the Akhil Bhartiya Safai Mazdoor Congress, staged a strike outside the Noida Authority office in Sector 94 on Thursday morning. The primary grievance fueling this protest is the recent merger of the health department with the civil department, a move that workers claim has unfairly expanded their job responsibilities without corresponding compensation.
Forced Civil Duties and Alleged Retaliation
The sanitation workers have voiced strong objections to being compelled to take on civil works in addition to their traditional sweeping and cleaning duties. According to the protestors, refusals to perform these extra tasks have led to sackings and salary cuts, creating an atmosphere of fear and coercion. This strike action follows a decision by Noida Authority CEO Krishna Karunesh on Monday, where four sanitation workers and two supervisors were removed, and salaries of some staffers were withheld over alleged poor upkeep.
Ravi Kumar Tank, a sanitation worker from Sector 101 with a decade of service, detailed the changes: "Earlier, our work was limited to cleaning roads and drains. But last month, after the Authority merged the health and civil departments, sanitation workers were given civil duties too. Now we are asked to handle construction and demolition waste and even work on central verges and pathways. We earn Rs 18,400 a month. If our salary hasn't increased, why should we be made to do extra work?"
Another worker, Sachin from Gadhi Chaukhandi village, echoed these concerns, noting that sanitation workers previously focused on sweeping roads, collecting garbage, and loading it onto tractors, but are now being assigned civil works as well.
Impact on Civic Cleanliness and Public Spaces
The strike had immediate and visible consequences across Noida, with garbage and dry leaves remaining uncollected in several sectors throughout Thursday. Affected areas included:
- Sector 18
- Sector 91
- Sector 92
- Sector 96
Heaps of garbage accumulated near prominent locations such as DLF Mall of India, while dry leaves piled up near The Great India Place Mall, highlighting the essential role these workers play in maintaining urban hygiene.
Workers' Demands and Authority's Response
Beyond protesting the forced civil duties, the sanitation workers are demanding medical insurance for themselves and their families, a critical need given the hazardous nature of their work. In response, Noida Authority general manager SP Singh announced that CEO Krishna Karunesh had approved medical insurance for approximately 4,800 outsourced sanitation workers through SBI General Insurance.
"Each worker and up to five dependent family members will get medical cover of up to Rs 5 lakh annually. The Authority will pay a premium of Rs 10,000 per worker through the outsourcing agency," Singh stated, adding that negotiations are ongoing to address the workers' broader concerns.
Allegations of Intimidation and Ongoing Tensions
The protestors have alleged that the Authority sacked workers specifically for refusing to carry out civil works in their assigned areas. They also shared WhatsApp messages from officials warning of strict action and salary cuts if they participated in the strike or abstained from duty. This has intensified the conflict, raising questions about labor rights and fair treatment in municipal services.
As talks continue between the workers and the Noida Authority, the strike underscores deeper issues of workload equity, compensation, and worker welfare in the sanitation sector. The outcome of these discussions will likely have significant implications for urban maintenance and labor relations in the region.
