Chennai | September 4, 2026 | INFRAINTEL Bureau
(The New Indian Express)
A Tamil Nadu ministerial delegation is scheduled to meet protesting sanitation workers at the Greater Chennai Corporation headquarters as their agitation enters its fifteenth day.
The workers are seeking higher wages, a minimum monthly salary of Rs 25,000, regularisation of contract employment, weekly holidays, leave benefits and menstrual leave. They also oppose proposed privatisation of solid-waste management in parts of the city.
Hundreds of contract and National Urban Livelihood Mission conservancy workers are participating under the Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam with support from several trade unions.
The dispute reached the state Assembly on September 2, where the opposition questioned the delay in talks and the government said files concerning the eight-point charter were before the Chief Minister.
A settlement will require more than a short-term wage understanding. The administration must address employment status, occupational safety, social security, leave, contractor accountability, fiscal impact and service continuity through a documented and time-bound process.