The indefinite strike by employees of the Shimla Environment, Heritage Conservation and Beautification (SEHB) Society entered its second consecutive day on Saturday, severely affecting door-to-door garbage collection services across the capital city. The workers, employed under the Shimla Municipal Corporation, are demanding the restoration of the 10% annual salary increment. They continued their protest outside the deputy commissioner's office despite the imposition of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) by the district administration.
Mayor Appeals to Protesting Employees
Mayor Surinder Chauhan has appealed to the protesting employees to resume work, assuring them that their concerns would be taken up once the panchayat election model code of conduct is lifted. He stated that he would discuss the issue with the local bodies minister and the chief minister. Chauhan added that several welfare measures were already approved for employees, including an increase in Diwali bonus to Rs 2,000, enhanced leave benefits, and life insurance cover ranging between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 30 lakh.
Alternative Waste Management Arrangements
To manage waste collection during the strike, the municipal corporation has deployed garbage collection vehicles in all 34 wards of the city. The mayor said residents were being asked to bring garbage directly to the vehicles. In areas inaccessible to vehicles, the corporation has identified several focal collection points where around 100 hired workers have been deployed.
Union Demands and Protest
Meanwhile, SEHB Society employees staged a protest outside the deputy commissioner's office on Saturday. Union members said the corporation had announced only a 3% dearness allowance hike instead of the annual 10% salary increment, which would lead to significant financial losses for workers in the coming years. The strike continues as employees remain firm on their demands, and the city struggles with waste management.
