The solid waste management workers in the Kozhikode Municipal Corporation have called off their strike following a meeting with the corporation authorities on Monday. The corporation has agreed to meet eight out of the nine demands raised by the workers whose strike under the aegis of Kozhikode Jilla Kharamalinya Thozhilali Union since June 16 had hit the solid waste collection in the city.
P. Girija, secretary of the union, said the corporation authorities, in a meeting chaired by Mayor Thottathil Raveendran, agreed to accept their demands, except the demand to absorb them, who are now under Kudumbasree, into the corporation’s cleaning wing as temporary employees, and to provide them wages on par with the permanent employees. “The corporation has sought some time to discuss the issue with the State government, which we agreed,” Ms. Girija said. The other demands raised by the workers include provision of safety equipment for working in the rainy season, and the resumption of their insurance scheme. “Workers who had became ill due to frequent exposure to waste should be provided health card and required medicines. Loans for the vehicles that were purchased for the corporation’s use 14 years ago should be written off,” they demanded.
The workers will start working from Tuesday.