Gurgaon: Even as Gurgaon faced a severe sanitation crisis, the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) sanitation workers on Friday warned that their strike would be extended indefinitely if the Haryana government fails to meet their demands by May 10. The workers, under the banner of Haryana Sarv Karamchari Sangh, continued their protest for the eighth consecutive day at the old MCG office, raising slogans against the state government for not addressing their concerns.
Union Demands
The president of the union’s Gurgaon unit outlined several key demands. These include the reinstatement of 3,480 laid-off sanitation workers along with retrenched employees of other municipalities, councils, and municipal corporations on the departmental roll. Additionally, the union demands the withdrawal of chargesheets and false cases filed during the recent Gurgaon strike and the end of the service break imposed on 26 sanitation worker leaders. “In addition, payment of wages for the strike period of 2023 and resolution of 17 other demands must be looked into,” he said.
Garbage Piling Up
Meanwhile, garbage continued to accumulate along roadsides and in vacant plots across the city. On Friday, waste was seen scattered in several areas, including Civil Lines, Baliawas, Palam Vihar, sectors 9, 9A, 10, 10A, 14, and 50, and Sadar Bazar. Residents expressed growing frustration as the situation worsened.
Mayor’s Criticism
Mayor Raj Rani Malhotra criticized the protesters’ conduct, stating, “The protesting workers are disrupting sanitation works being carried out by outsourced staff too. On Thursday, the protesters punctured the tyres of waste collection vehicles taking garbage to waste collection points. Such behaviour is not acceptable.” She added that local authorities would convene a meeting on Saturday to make alternative arrangements for the city’s sanitation work.
Councillor’s Statement
Councillor of Ward 25 Anup Singh said, “The union members are now resorting to hooliganism by not allowing outsourced sanitation workers to work. We are closely monitoring the situation on the ground and will come up with an alternative plan so that the problem resolves.”
Residents’ Concerns
Residents reported that private sanitation agencies, which were already providing limited services, have further reduced operations citing a shortage of sanitation workers. “These sanitation agencies have now got an excuse for not working. They are telling us that sanitation workers are not available due to the strike. If the strike continues, we will soon have a sanitation emergency in the city,” said Lalit Suraj Bhola, a resident of Sector 9A.
Background
In 2024, the Haryana government had declared a solid-waste exigency in Gurgaon and directed MCG to fast-track clearance of waste piles along with legacy waste at Bandhwari. The city has been struggling with waste collection and management ever since. The ongoing strike threatens to exacerbate the crisis further.
