Chandigarh: Safai Karamcharis on Friday announced the end of their strike after meeting Haryana Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, following an agreement on their demands. Notably, representatives of the Safai Karamchari Union held a meeting with Cabinet Minister Vipul Goel and Cabinet Minister, Krishan Kumar Bedi, during which an agreement was reached on their demands.
During the meeting, it was agreed that Safai Karamcharis would be given a uniform allowance of Rs. 440 per month instead of a one-time uniform allowance. With regard to the demand for equal pay for equal work and arrears, payment has already been made to eligible employees.
As demanded, Safai Karamcharis on municipal rolls are being extended the benefit of LTC as per instructions. Directions have also been issued for annual medical check-ups of Safai Karamcharis and sewermen—regular, municipal roll and HKRNL—through the Health Department at the expense of the respective urban local bodies.
In the meeting, in-principle approval was also given to enhance the amount under the Mukhyamantri Haryana Karamchari Durghatna Bima Yojana from Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh in the event of death while on duty of Safai Workers on municipal rolls, including Safai Karamcharis, sewermen and Safai Daroga/Head Sewermen.
The Government has already provided Rs. 60 lakh to the family of Bhavichand Sharma, including Rs. 20 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, Rs. 10 lakh under the Mukhyamantri Karamchari Durghatna Suraksha Yojana and Rs. 30 lakh from Bank of Maharashtra under an MoU.
If any member of the families of the two deceased employees applies for employment on compassionate grounds, action will be taken as per rules. Another demand of the Union was to regularise employees on the fire payroll.
