EDMC workers go on strike over pending salaries

More than 25,000 municipal employees of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation went on a strike on Thursday over non-payment of salaries, bringing the services to a standstill. This is the third continuous year, when the municipal workers have gone on a strike due to non-payment of salaries.

The employees have now threatened to lead protest across East Delhi, including outside the residences of Delhi ministers for immediate solution to their problem.

According to the protestors, while they have called for an indefinite strike, they will continue to protest until their salaries are paid. "For the past three years our salaries have been delayed. We have not got our pay cheque since October," said Sanjay Gehlot, President, Swatantra Majdoor Vikas Sayunkt Morcha.

Gehlot added that the workers will continue to be on strike until their demands. They have also threatened that they will not collect garbage and let it rot on the streets.

Two out of three municipal corporations have been struggling to make their ends meet and have been facing the worst financial crunch since their inception. High ranking official said that the employees in the South Delhi Municipal Corporation have been receiving timely salary, the East and North Delhi Municipal Corporation have struggled since 2015.

The municipal corporations are largely responsible for various civic facilities including providing primary healthcare, education, ensuring sanitation, all of which will be affected if the municipal workers continue to be on strike.