Chennai, Aug 10 (NationPress) The general secretary of Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), T.T.V. Dhinakaran, has criticized the Tamil Nadu government for its ineffective management of the sanitation workers' strike, which has now reached its 10th day. He denounced the government's actions as threats disguised as negotiations to resolve the strike.

The sanitation workers are demonstrating outside the Ripon Building, insisting on the regularization of their jobs and opposing the outsourcing of Chennai Corporation’s conservancy tasks to private firms.

Workers claim that the DMK government is not addressing their demands for public health and sanitation but rather trying to undermine their democratic struggle through intimidation.

Dhinakaran emphasized that these workers had put their lives on the line during the COVID-19 pandemic and in other crises like floods and cyclones, yet their efforts are being ignored.

He criticized the corporation's contradictory approach of negotiating with workers while simultaneously increasing recruitment through private companies, leading to deep discontent among the workforce. He urged the corporation and the state government to engage in dialogue with the protesting workers and to fulfill their rightful demands without delay.

Meanwhile, the strike by National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) sanitation workers in crucial areas such as Royapuram, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, and parts of Ambattur has persisted for ten days, heightening concerns over a potential public health crisis.

Despite approximately 25 percent of the striking workers returning to work and the deployment of 2,039 temporary employees, garbage continues to accumulate in these regions. A late-night meeting on Saturday involving HR & CE Minister P.K. Sekarbabu, Mayor Priya, GCC Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran, and the striking workers concluded without resolution.

The minister stated that the government would provide a solution following further discussions.

About 3,000 NULM workers are resisting privatization in zones 5, 6, and 7. GCC officials noted that 750 workers have transitioned to private contractor Chennai Enviro Solutions, which commenced operations in zones 5 and 6 on July 19 by hiring temporary staff from self-help groups.

However, local residents have reported no improvement in the garbage situation. Overflowing bins, decaying waste on the streets, and stray animals dragging rubbish have become frequent complaints.

V. Muruganandan from Nammalwarpet mentioned, “For over a week, the waste has accumulated in our colony, and some residents have begun discarding it on the streets.”

A resident from Perambur, Selvakumari P, pointed out that some wards lack replacements for absent workers, causing a complete halt in garbage collection.

Despite residents' appeals on social media, the issue remains unresolved.

Joint Commissioner (Health) V.P. Jeyaseelan noted that privatization had enhanced service quality and safety in other areas, and this model was being applied to zones 5 and 6. The strike commenced on August 1 in opposition to this initiative.