Sanitation workers’ strike enters third day

Noida: A strike over wages by sanitation workers involved in doorstep waste collection continued for the third day on Thursday. Residents expressed anger and took to social media platforms to vent their anger, raising concern over the spread of diseases with the onset of monsoon.
The District Development Residents Welfare Association (DDRWA) wrote to the Noida Authority CEO, blaming AG Enviro, the private company engaged in doorstep waste collection, for lack of adequate efforts.
“Due to the sanitation workers’ strike, garbage has accumulated in the city. All RWAs of the city request the Noida Authority to make some arrangements to run the sanitation system smoothly,” said DDRWA president NP Singh.
Sanjay Shukla, RWA general secretary of Shiv Shakti Apartments in Sector 71, said, “There are piles of garbage everywhere and monsoon has exacerbated the problem. There is a threat of the spread of diseases due to garbage.”
AG Enviro engages about 250 vehicles and 500 workers for the doorstep collection of garbage.
The private agency’s employees have been demanding a salary hike, claiming that Noida Authority pays Rs 16,800 to each worker, but the company pays only Rs 13,200.
“Even after complaints, the company management is not paying attention. After talks with the company failed on Monday, we decided to go on a strike,” said a sanitation worker who wished to remain anonymous.
District Development Residents Welfare Association (DDRWA) wrote to the Noida Authority CEO, blaming AG Enviro, the private company engaged in doorstep waste collection, for lack of adequate efforts.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Associations (FONRWA) coordinated with authority staff for waste pickup from some areas on Thursday.
“According to Noida Authority officials, there is little chance of the strike ending soon. As an interim measure, Noida Authority has suggested that until the strike is over, RWAs should arrange for garbage collection at a designated spot, from where the Authority vehicles can pick up the garbage,” said KK Jain, secretary general of FONRWA.