Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation stir affecting poll work

Hyderabad: Piles of garbage lining the streets have started raising a stink as the strike by various workers and employees unions in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation entered its second day on Tuesday.

The union leaders said the strike will continue until their demands are met. One of their main demands is the withdrawal of the contract with Ramky Enviro Engineers. Employees are also seeking a hike in the salaries.

GHMC commissioner Somesh Kumar issued a stern warning to the union leaders and striking employees. “Strikes during the elections amounts to sabotage of the election process,” said Mr Kumar adding that cases will be booked against those participating in the strike under the Representation of Peoples Act, according to which they may face up to one-year imprisonment.

The deputy municipal commissioners, drafted on election duty, are now concentrating on clearing the garbage by hiring private vehicles and workers. A strike at this juncture is affecting election work, he said.

He appealed to the union leaders and striking employees to rejoin their duties. “If there are any issues, they can be discussed after the elections are over. This is not the right time to go on strike,” he said.

Stating that the state government has already conceded to the demand of the unions by enhancing the salary of sanitation workers, he said this is not the right time to seek an increase in the salary of the drivers and other outsourcing employees as the entire GHMC staff is on election duty.

He deputed GHMC special commissioner Rahul Bojja, additional commissioner, sanitation, Ravi Kumar, and two other additional commissioners to hold talks with union leaders.

The GHMC commissioner has also written to the Governor that the civic body is not in a position to invoke Essential Services Maintenance Act against the striking employees as orders issued by the government prohibiting strikes in the GHMC expired on April 12. The GHMC has requested extending the prohibition of strikes for a further period of six months and the orders are likely to be issued in a day or two.

GHMEU president U. Gopal said, the strike will continue until the GHMC cancels the agreement with Ramky. “We want the salaries of outsourcing employees, drivers, workers of anti-malaria operations wing, veterinary section and other concerned departments in GHMC to be increased immediately,” he added.