The sweepers of all the three municipal bodies are gearing up for another battle with the AAP administration and the BJP-led Government at the Centre over a series of demands in the national Capital. A majority of their unions have got together to hold a major protest on Wednesday at Jantar Mantar.
The leaders of the different unions held a meeting on Monday to chalk out their future strategy to meet their demands. Among the leaders present were Jai Kishan, Charan Singh Kandera, Vir Singh Dhingan, Rajender Bhajni, Radhey Shyam Tank, Rajkumar Birla, Sant lal Chawaria, Subhash Bidlan, Ramraj, Virpal Gahlot, Malook Chand Beniwal, Anand Madan, Mohan Pahelwan, lal Chand Chandelia and Hari Pahalwan.
The main demand of the sweepers unions is that they should be provided salaries on time every month. Other demands include regularisation of all contractual workers with cashless medical facilities. They are also demanding to make them permanent.
Former Congress MlA Jai Kishan said that 20,000 houses under Dr Bhimrao Residential Scheme should be constructed for the safai karamcharis. He demanded that pension be released to all retired sweepers and last payment be given to the families of the dead employees.
There are indications that the sweepers of different unions may again go on strike if their demands are not met. They are also going to hold demonstrations outside the residences of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the near future.