Shimla, May 15
The sanitation system in Shimla has come under severe pressure after SEHB sanitation workers under the Municipal Corporation of Shimla launched an indefinite strike from Thursday, raising concerns over cleanliness in the city during the ongoing Swachhata Survey.
The strike has already begun affecting waste collection services, with garbage not being lifted from households across several areas. Authorities fear that continued disruption may impact Shimla’s ranking in the cleanliness survey and lead to the accumulation of waste in the city.
SEHB workers’ union president Jaswant said employees are demanding a 10 percent salary hike as per rules, but their demands have been ignored despite repeated representations to the administration. He said workers had no option but to intensify their protest and demanded the withdrawal of the ESMA imposed by the district administration.
He alleged that attempts were being made to suppress the workers’ voice and said employees were prepared to risk their jobs but would not withdraw their agitation. He also raised questions over the disparity in fee collection from citizens and the denial of similar benefits to workers, terming it unfair.
Meanwhile, CITU extended support to the protesting workers. State president Vijender Mehra said discussions were underway on several issues, but a 10 percent salary deduction had been made from workers, which he said was not permissible under labor laws during ongoing negotiations.
He further warned that if the agitation was forcibly suppressed, the strike could be expanded to IGMC, the hotel sector, street vendors, and sewage treatment plants, along with other CITU affiliated unions in the city.
Residents have expressed concern about the increasing accumulation of garbage and its possible impact on Shimla’s image as a tourist destination. The situation has placed the municipal administration under pressure, with all eyes now on possible talks between workers and authorities to resolve the issue
