The New Indian Express ·
Sanitary workers suspend protest, but key demands remain unfulfilled
CHENNAI: Sanitary workers, who have been staging a protest on Ripon building premises for the past 16 days, have decided to put their agitation on hold until October 3 after the state government agreed to several of their demands, including a daily food allowance of Rs 50 and withdrawal of cases registered against them during last year’s protest.
The decision followed a two-hour meeting between representatives of Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam (UUI), which organised the protest, and four ministers — N Anand (Rural Development and Water Resources), Aadhav Arjuna (Public Works and Sports Development), A Rajmohan (School Education) and CTR Nirmal Kumar (Energy Resources and Law) at the Ripon building on Friday.
GCC Commissioner G S Sameeran was also present at the meeting. The ministers promised the workers that there would be “happy news” on October 3, when a second round of talks will be held. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, UUI president K Bharathi and minister Rajmohan said the government has agreed to provide a food allowance of Rs 50 per day from October. Toilets and rest areas will be provided in all 200 wards by September 30.