Shimla, May 21
Sanitation workers in Shimla continued their strike for the sixth consecutive day on Wednesday, warning of an intensified protest after Mayor Surinder Chauhan reportedly failed to attend a scheduled meeting with employees. More than 15 organizations, including CPI(M), hotel unions, and street vendors’ associations, have extended support to the agitation.
The protesting sanitation workers and supervisors of the SEHB Society remained stationed outside the Shimla Municipal Corporation office, demanding that their pending demands be fulfilled. Workers alleged that, despite inviting them to talks, the Mayor did not attend the scheduled meeting, which angered employees.
CITU Himachal Pradesh president Vijender Mehra accused the municipal administration of delaying a resolution instead of engaging seriously with the workers. He said the Mayor’s absence from the meeting was disrespectful to employees and reflected the administration’s unserious approach to resolving the issue.
Mehra warned that if the demands were not accepted, the agitation would be intensified from Thursday onwards, and the city’s sanitation system could come to a complete halt.
Meanwhile, Municipal Commissioner Bhupender Attri has reportedly terminated the services of around 40 sanitation workers and supervisors participating in the strike under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA). Officials said further action against more employees could also follow.
The Municipal Corporation is also considering outsourcing sanitation services to maintain sanitation in the city during the ongoing strike.
