The strike of sanitation workers of the Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC) entered its eighth day on Friday, with employees under the banner of the Municipal Employees Union intensifying their agitation. Holding brooms in their hands, workers staged a protest march from the KMC office to the Mini Secretariat, vowing to continue their strike until their demands are met.
Union leaders announced that on May 9, employees will march through the city’s main markets to inform residents about the reasons behind the strike and to highlight that the government has failed to honour its own commitments.
The protest was led by Raj Kumar, president of the Karnal unit. “The government’s indifference has forced us to protest. We are fighting not just for ourselves but for justice and dignity,” said Raj Kumar.
The sanitation workers’ demands include regularisation of contractual staff, implementation of minimum wages, and fulfilment of long‑pending demands of fire service employees. Workers allege that despite repeated assurances, the government has failed to take concrete steps. “The government has promised to regularise these workers many times, but every time no promise was fulfilled. This betrayal has left us with no option but to strike,” Raj Kumar added.
“The government is intentionally creating hurdles. Instead of resolving issues, it is ignoring us. If dialogues are not initiated with the state committee, we are ready for a long battle,” warned another union leader.
The protest witnessed participation from various employee associations, who exhorted sanitation workers to remain united.
Meanwhile, the sanitation situation in the city has worsened. Sweeping and lifting of garbage from roads has come to a complete halt, leaving piles of waste in various areas. Only door‑to‑door collection of garbage is being carried out by a private agency, which remains the major support for KMC during the strike.
