Gurugram sanitation workers plan protest at Rao Narbir Singh’s residence

Around 2,650 sanitation workers are on strike in Gurugram, disrupting garbage collection and street sweeping in a city that generates nearly 1,500 tonnes of waste each day.

The union said workers plan to protest at Haryana cabinet minister Rao Narbir Singh’s Civil Lines residence. It is seeking regularisation of contractual employees, permanent sanitation posts, an end to contract-based sanitation and sewage work, and withdrawal of suspensions, terminations and other action against protesters.

The Haryana Urban Local Bodies department has directed municipal commissioners to tell striking staff to return to duty by September 5, warning of legal and departmental action. The department described sanitation as an essential service and cited the Haryana Municipal Act and the Haryana Essential Services Maintenance Act.

Union leaders said assurances made in a May 13 agreement have not been implemented through written orders. The union said it would intensify the agitation if its demands are not resolved by September 6.