Nagpur: Door-to-door garbage lifting in Laxmi Nagar, Dharampeth and Dhantoli remained affected after employees of AG Enviro, one of the garbage lifting companies, launched a strike to oppose removal of 140 colleagues.
The agitating employees have also threatened to intensify their stir from January 12 if the firm does not reinstate the employees removed during Covid-19 crisis.
“The stir would affect entire door-to-door garbage lifting of five zones; Laxmi Nagar, Dharampeth, Hanuman Nagar, Dhantoli and Nehru Nagar,” said president of Nagpur Zilla NMC Contractual Workers Association Yugal Vidawat. The agitated employees of AG Enviro will sit on dharna at Vidhan Bhavan Square.
In a memorandum submitted to the civic chief, the association has alleged the firm has terminated 140 employees without any prior intimation.
Of these, 80 are cleaning staff. They should be rehired, it has demanded and also asked for minimum wage fixed by the government to be paid apart from payment of PF, ESI, leaves, uniforms and other material as per rules. They also demanded recovery should not be made from the driver in case of an accident, the memorandum stated.
Vidawat said they will resort to an indefinite stir from January 12 as no demands were being met despite repeated hearings by the labour commissioner. It has also claimed that employees of BVG—another garbage lifting firm — will also participate in the strike.
Deputy municipal commissioner (sanitation) Dr Pradip Dasarwar admitted lifting of garbage was affected in some zones in the morning, which was later restored by evening. He also said the firm has been asked to ensure daily garbage lifting service regularly.