In a dramatic protest over delayed wages, sanitation workers dumped large quantities of garbage at a square near the Jabalpur Municipal Corporation (JMC) headquarters on Tuesday morning. The workers alleged that a private contractor had failed to pay their salaries despite them working for several months. The protesting workers said they had repeatedly approached the contractor and the Municipal Corporation administration for payment. However, they alleged that their complaints only resulted in assurances and no concrete action. Frustrated over the continued delay, they resorted to dumping garbage to draw attention to their grievances. The workers demanded immediate release of their pending wages and warned that they would launch an indefinite strike if their dues were not cleared at the earliest. Following the protest, the JMC Health Department removed the garbage from the spot. The area was later cleaned and washed with water to restore normalcy.

 

The issue also drew political attention, with the City Congress Committee extending support to the sanitation workers. Congress leaders termed the matter as a long pending issue and accused the Municipal Corporation administration of failing to protect the rights of sanitation workers. They alleged that contractors continue to delay wage payments despite receiving civic contracts and criticised what they termed the administration's soft approach towards such violations. Congress leaders said the city’s sanitation system has deteriorated and several development works have also been affected. They warned that if the workers’ pending wages are not paid and their concerns are not addressed promptly, the City Congress Committee will join the agitation in support of the sanitation workers. No official statement was available from the Jabalpur Municipal Corporation or the contractor regarding the workers’ allegations.