MCD Workers Intensify Protest Against Job Insecurity and Wage Issues

Workers of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) are determined to maintain their indefinite strike in response to perceived threats of eviction from their protest site. Since September 29, 2023, over 5,200 multi-tasking staff, including domestic breeding checkers and contractual field workers, have been demanding job regularisation and fair wages.

The striking workers have voiced their concerns regarding the MCD’s failure to meet their requests for equal pay, medical and earned leave, and compensatory employment for the families of deceased workers. On Tuesday, they reported that police visited their protest site outside the Civic Centre and instructed them to vacate the area. The workers interpreted this action as an attempt to suppress their ongoing protest.

Devanand Sharma, general secretary of the Anti-Malaria Ekta Karamchari Union, which represents nearly 500 workers daily, expressed frustration over the sudden police intervention. He stated, “We are holding a peaceful sit-in with police permission. For 20 days, there was no objection, and now suddenly we are being told to leave. Why now? This is clearly being done at the behest of the MCD, which has failed to meet our demands.”

The workers have made it a priority to minimize disruptions during their protest. They have refrained from using loudspeakers and have taken measures to avoid obstructing traffic. Their commitment to maintaining a peaceful demonstration underscores their dedication to securing the rights they believe they deserve.

As the strike continues, the situation remains dynamic. Workers are adamant that they will not back down until their demands are addressed. The MCD, for its part, has yet to respond to the claims made by the protesters.

The ongoing situation highlights the broader issues surrounding employment conditions and labor rights within municipal services. As the strike persists, the impact on public services in Delhi may become increasingly pronounced, drawing attention to the urgent need for dialogue between workers and the municipal authority.