Local News
Sanitation Workers in Madurai Call Off Protest After Corporation Promises Wage Clearance and Reinstatement
After three days of protests over wage delays and unfair dismissals, sanitation workers in Madurai have suspended their strike following assurances from senior corporation officials. The conflict began when Ourland, the city’s waste management contractor, dismissed 23 workers. Trade unions intervened, demanding justice. Officials promised quick resolution, but union leaders warn of renewed protests if commitments are not met.
Madurai, Tamil Nadu — A tense three-day standoff between sanitation workers and private waste management contractor Ourland came to a temporary close on Friday, as workers called off their protest following assurances from Madurai Corporation officials.
The protest began on Wednesday after sanitation workers accused Ourland of mistreating employees and failing to release their pending wages. Tensions escalated when the company abruptly terminated 23 workers, mainly drivers, on Thursday, citing poor performance. Outraged by the move, workers affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) organized a demonstration outside the Madurai Corporation’s head office.
Protestors claimed that the dismissals were unjust and demanded immediate reinstatement of the terminated staff along with full payment of wage arrears. “These workers have been serving the city under challenging conditions. Terminating them without due process while holding back salaries is unacceptable,” said M. Balasubramaniam, Secretary of the CITU Sanitation Workers Unit in Madurai.
In response, senior corporation officials engaged in several rounds of discussions with union representatives and the contractor. Following these meetings, workers were assured that the corporation would intervene to ensure Ourland releases the withheld wages and reinstates the dismissed employees within the following week.
Balasubramaniam warned that the protest would resume on a larger scale if the promises are not honored by Monday. “We are standing down for now, but we expect the contractor to act in good faith and treat the workers with dignity,” he added.
Despite the suspension of the protest, waste collection services remained inconsistent in several parts of the city. Residents reported continued garbage pileups and delays in clearance, even after lodging complaints with the corporation.
A senior official from the Madurai Corporation confirmed that temporary arrangements had been made to resume sanitation services using available staff. “Operations are back on track, though we are still addressing service gaps in some areas,” the official said.
The incident has once again highlighted the challenges of outsourcing critical civic services to private contractors and the need for improved oversight to ensure workers’ rights and public services are not compromised.
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