Haryana sanitation workers labor protests and job security

Sanitation workers in Haryana have been engaged in protests and strikes since August 6. In response to these actions, the Haryana government announced a revised compensation structure to increase the total monthly payout from Rs 20,590 to Rs 22,590. This new framework includes a monthly basic salary of Rs 21,000 and an allowance of Rs 1,590, with guarantees for regular annual increments.

As the strike extended through late August, waste accumulation became significant on major roads and at dumping sites. Attempts by local administrations to manage waste collection led to frequent clashes with striking employees. In Jhajjar, tensions escalated during a night-long operation to remove approximately 125 tons of garbage, resulting in confrontations at Bhagat Singh Chowk. In Hisar, police detained between 50 and 60 employees, while in Hansi, protesters intercepted a police bus to release detained colleagues. Similar tensions were reported in Jind, Sirsa, and Yamunanagar.

Following the unrest, the Haryana government announced a major initiative to provide job security for 13,093 sanitation workers by bringing them under the scope of the Haryana Contractual Employees (Assurance of Service) Act, 2024. This measure includes guaranteed service until age 60 and a monthly risk allowance of ₹2,000. For workers with over 10 years of service, the total monthly payout is set to increase to ₹25,560. The plan also extends social security benefits, such as annual Dearness Allowance, maternity leave, and death-cum-retirement gratuity, to these employees.

Despite these measures, the Nagarpalika Karamchari Sangh has extended its strike through September 9, rejecting the government offers and demanding full regularization of services. The ongoing agitation continues to disrupt waste collection services. Political opposition, including Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala, has criticized the administration for a perceived lack of dialogue with the protesting workers.