Talks fail, sanitary staff stir continues
Private operations by Chennai Enviro have begun in Royapuram and Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, with GCC clearing 18,000 tonnes in three days. Residents in GCC-run zones back the move, citing chronic inefficiency, uncollected waste, zero segregation, and better results in south Chennai's six privatised zones.
The govt held talks with the protestors multiple times, including on Sunday, but it did not yield results. HR&CE minister P K Sekarbabu, who led negotiations, said the workers shifted demands from opposing wage cuts to insisting on permanent jobs now.
"How can the govt provide permanency when many are above 60," he told TOI.
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The issue, he said, concerns not just 1,500 protestors but 20 lakh residents in these zones. The govt, he added, has instructed the contractor to absorb those aged 60 on compassionate grounds.
Sekarbabu said protestors have been allowed to agitate at Ripon Buildings despite being asked to shift to Rajarathinam Stadium or Sivananda Salai. "The govt has not used any force despite Ripon Buildings being a sensitive area.
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This shows the govt is keen to ensure everyone gets a job with the contractor," he said.
The protest gained political backing with DMK ally CPM's state secretary P Shanmugam and NTK leader Seeman joining in. Shanmugam said CPM would work with their unions, who are spearheading the stir, for a solution. Seeman warned that low wages would push private contractors to hire migrant workers, costing locals their jobs.
GCC officials said concerns over wages dropping from 21,700 to 18,000 are being clarified.
Parisutham Vedamuthu, project head of Chennai Enviros, said while take-home may be lower, the CTC with PF, ESIC, gratuity, and allowances will be 22,500, higher than current pay. "We have begun work in full flow."
Privatisation is not new to Chennai. GCC earlier engaged Onyx, Ramky, and Urbaser for different zones. Now, after two decades of experiments and protests, it is firm on privatising the entire city. Residents from Royapuram and Thiru Vi Ka Nagar said for past three days, waste clearance improved. "Earlier in zone 5, workers would play truant. They mark attendance, pay bribes to conservancy inspectors, fudge muster rolls, and skip work.
This can't happen with private contractors," said R Avinash of Old Washermenpet.
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