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Mumbai sanitation workers call off planned July 23 strike after BMC promises to address their demands, ensuring uninterrupted civic services across the city.
A protest erupted following the civic body’s proposal to appoint a single private agency for waste management across the city. At the same time, 24 companies have expressed interest in the BMC’s waste management tender. According to officials, the new plan could help the civic body save around ₹160 crore annually.
Mumbai: Sanitation workers have called off their planned strike scheduled for July 23 after receiving assurances from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) that their concerns would be addressed.
The protest was triggered by the BMC’s proposal to appoint a single private agency to handle waste management across the city.
In the meantime, 24 companies have expressed interest in the BMC’s waste management tender. Officials claim the new system could help the civic body save up to ₹160 crore annually.
The unrest was triggered by the BMC’s proposal to outsource waste disposal and transportation services, raising concerns over potential job losses for 6,000 permanent and 1,500 contractual motor loaders.
On Tuesday, representatives from the MWAC met with civic officials, who assured them of job security and the continuation of Lad-Page Committee benefits, including preferential employment for workers’ family members. “With the added assurance that the promised housing will be expedited, we are satisfied with the outcome of the meeting and have decided to call off the strike,” said MWAC leader Ramakant Bane.
The Lad-Page Committee, established in 1972, recommended that jobs be provided to the heirs of sanitation workers—a policy implemented through government resolutions since 1979. A union leader stated, “The BMC has assured us that none of the 31,000 sanctioned posts in the sanitation department will be eliminated following privatisation.
They have also agreed to regularise contractual workers hired through nonprofits, without altering their pay or job responsibilities. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the BMC and the union will be signed during a meeting on Monday.”
Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said, “Permanent motor loaders will not lose their jobs. As for contractual workers, we will review the pending court cases, but we remain positive.” Meanwhile, 24 companies have responded to the BMC’s Rs. 4,000-crore tender for waste collection and transportation, which includes supplying compactors, labour, public bins, and promoting waste segregation.
Technical and financial evaluation of bids will begin Wednesday and may take a month. Two bidders have moved the Bombay High Court, alleging exclusion due to the tender’s specifications.
