In the talks held with sanitation workers who are on contract, the Collector assured the workers that some of their demands would be fulfilled. But, the representatives of the Sanitary Workers Association told the media that they would take a decision on whether to call off the strike, only after seeing what the officials will write in the promised note regarding fulfillment of the demands put forth.
Coimbatore: A meeting was held at the Coimbatore District Collector, G S Sameeran's camp office on Race Course Road on Monday morning under the leadership of Collector Sameeran with representatives of the Sanitation Workers Association.
Even as 2000 sanitation workers continued their indefinite strike for the second consecutive day to press for their 16-point charter of demands, which included minimum wages and regularisation of work, the public has been inconvenienced. Sanitation workers of Coimbatore Municipal Corporation submitted a memorandum in front of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi and began their protest, demanding a hike in wages on Gandhi Jayanthi.
Sanitation workers who work in Coimbatore Government Hospital, ESI Hospital and Government offices have not turned up for work due to which both patients and public suffered. The sanitation workers who were on strike also blocked the road near the Coimbatore Collectorate. Following this, the police who were on security duty at the Collectorate arrested more than 500 sanitation workers.
At the meeting held at the District Collector's camp office with the representatives of the Sanitation Workers Association, along with the Collector G S Sameeran, Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation Commissioner M Prathap, Revenue Officer Leela Alex and others also participated.
Addressing the media after the talks which lasted for about two hours, members of the Sanitation Workers Association said, "We apologise to the people for the inconvenience caused by the strike. The talks held under the Chairmanship of the District Collector have been completed. A few demands are said to be a policy decision of the Government.
Moreover, the officials have promised to give in writing the assurance (minutes) given by them on our legitimate demands. But we will take a decision on whether to call off the strike only after seeing what will be written in that note. Till then, this strike by the sanitation workers will continue. There is hope that a good decision will be reached by Monday evening."