With several demands, over 100 permanent and contractual sweepers, including females and males, of the Talcher Muncipality held a strike on May 20.
The strike led to a precarious situation in the town. The roads and tunnels clogged with garbage, while foul smell emanating from the roads and drains created much trouble for the passers-by.
The sudden cease work prompted the council to hold an emergency meeting but no solution could be reached out. The sweepers submitted a copy of their ten-point charter of demands to the Talcher Sub Collector, District labour Officer and the Talcher police station IIC requesting their interference to solve their long standing problems.
They demanded revised and regular wage, cleaning materials and appointment of a health officer in the Gopabandhu Dispensary for regular check up of health of the sweepers, among others.
“Two years ago, we face no difficulties. Sanitary materials like napkins, shoes, soaps, phynile and bleaching powder were supplied to us for better work, besides regular salaries and allowances. But now they are a thing of the past. We are forced to do work even on the International Workers’ Day (May 1) though we all approached the authority that it is a paid holiday,” said Bhuban Gochhayat and Bhajili Gochhyat.