Garbage piled up on a street in Coimbatore following disruption in sanitation services due to a workers’ protest.
| Photo Credit: M. PERIASAMY

Uncollected waste accumulated across multiple areas in the city on Friday as contract sanitary workers of Coimbatore Corporation continued their protest for the fifth consecutive day, disrupting regular waste collection and sanitation services in the city

According to the Corporation, there are 3,442 contract sanitary workers and 525 contract drivers engaged through contractors. The civic body has stated that contract sanitation workers could be paid a maximum of ₹20,454 per month and that there was no provision to increase this amount.

In a statement, the Corporation said the sanctioned net monthly salary was ₹16,000. An additional ₹1,250, compared to the previous year, was to be credited to workers’ bank accounts directly by the contractor. A proposal had been sent to the Directorate of Municipal Administration seeking approval for any further increase in wages discussed during negotiations.

The total monthly package includes deductions for Provident Fund (PF) and Employees’ State Insurance (ESI). Of the total ₹3,750, the employer’s PF contribution is ₹1,950 and the employee’s ₹1,800. For ESI, the employer contributes ₹572 and the employee ₹132. These contributions are to be managed and deposited by the contractor.

The Corporation also stated that salary slips would be issued by the 20th of each month. Uniforms, safety kits, reflective jackets, and gloves would be distributed. Camps would be held across wards to raise awareness among workers about PF and ESI benefits. A similar salary proposal was under consideration for Domestic Breeding Checkers (DBC).

While some workers returned to duty on Friday after accepting the Corporation’s terms, others continued to demand a monthly salary of ₹23,000, rejecting the ₹20,454 offered. Over 200 workers assembled at the Collectorate to press their demand and were subsequently detained by the police.

“Nearly 90% of the workers resumed duty today. We have begun clearing over 1,800 tonnes of mixed waste that had accumulated over the last four days. Segregation is under way at the Vellalore dump yard. We will continue discussions with the remaining workers who have not yet returned,” said Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran.