Haryana sanitation workers end 16-day strike

Chandigarh, May 24 (IANS) With their salary hiked, several allowances raised and most other demands conceded, both unions of the agitating safai and sewer karamcharis in Haryana have decided to call off their 16-day old strike.

This was announced by the Haryana Urban Local Bodies Minister Kavita Jain, who along with Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Krishan Kumar Bedi, and Minister of State for Cooperation Manish Grover, held a meeting with leaders of the municipal sanitation workers here on Thursday.

The strike was called by the Municipal Workers Union and Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh.

"The safai and sewer karamcharis of municipal bodies in Haryana will now get a lump sum salary of Rs 13,500 per month. Besides, it has also been decided to end the practice of contractual engagement and absorb the employees in the payroll of the department," Jain said.

Other demands of the agitating workers have also been agreed upon by the Haryana government.Heaps of garbage piled up across towns and cities in Haryana over the past 16 days since the strike began.