Hundreds of temporary sanitation staff employed by the Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation (DMC) brought their grievances to the streets on Friday, staging a forceful strike outside the civic body's office. The protest, involving around 200 safai karmacharis, centred on long-pending demands for job security, a significant salary revision, and equitable social security benefits.
Core Demands: Parity with Permanent Staff
The workers, united under the banner of the Harijan Mazdoor Union, voiced their frustration over what they describe as years of discriminatory treatment. Their primary demands include the regularisation of their temporary positions, a hike in their stagnant wages, and the implementation of provident fund deductions and contributions on par with their permanent colleagues.
A central point of contention is the stark disparity in pay. According to the protesting workers, their monthly salary has been frozen at Rs 12,000 for the last nine years, since 2016. In a sharp contrast, permanent sanitation workers received a raise in March 2025, with their salaries increasing from Rs 15,000 to Rs 18,000.
Voices from the Protest: "How Can We Survive?"
"We perform the same duties as the permanent employees, yet our salaries have not seen a single increase in nearly a decade," said Ramesh Basfor, who has worked as a temporary sanitation worker for 14 years. He highlighted the crushing impact of inflation, asking, "How can we survive with Rs 12,000 when prices of everything have gone up?"
The protesters raised slogans demanding justice and an end to the inequality in wages and benefits. Their key demands can be summarized as follows:
- Immediate regularisation of their jobs.
- A substantial increase in their monthly salary.
- Inclusion in the Provident Fund scheme with employer contributions.
Official Response and the Road Ahead
When approached for comment, officials from the Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation acknowledged they were aware of the workers' demands and stated the matter would be examined. However, they pointed to budgetary constraints and lengthy administrative procedures as the main reasons for the persistent delay in resolving these issues.
The strike underscores a growing tension between contractual municipal workers and urban local bodies across regions. The protest in Dibrugarh brings into sharp focus the challenges faced by temporary staff in essential services, who seek dignity, fair compensation, and financial security comparable to permanent employees.
