Sanitation Workers Stage Flash Protest at Ripon Building Demanding Job Regularisation

Tense moments were witnessed at the Ripon Building on Tuesday after more than 50 sanitation workers staged a flash protest inside the civic headquarters. The workers entered the premises, sat on the floor, and raised slogans demanding the regularisation of their jobs.

According to the police, the sanitation workers had originally sought permission to stage a peaceful demonstration near the Allikulam court complex. However, the protesting workers stated that although they were granted permission to protest, authorities pushed them to an uneven stretch of road riddled with potholes.

Protesters expressed frustration over the restricted access to the venue. One sanitation worker stated that gates were locked to prevent them from entering, despite having arrived by 3 pm after seeking prior permission.

K Suresh, state secretary of the Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam (Workers’ Rights Movement) affiliated with LTUC-AICCTU, said the workers had initially sought to meet the chief minister. Instead, they were directed to the chamber of Minister for School Education A Rajmohan.

Suresh confirmed that the delegation met the minister and formally submitted their charter of demands.

In their petition addressed to the chief minister, the sanitation workers sought an upward revision of their wages. They pointed out that the state government had recently decided to provide a monthly salary of ₹25,000 to assistants appointed by MLAs to assist with public work, urging authorities to extend fair compensation and job security to sanitation staff.