The strike erupted over the refusal of the municipal authorities to agree to bonus payments and improved working conditions. The striking workers, employed in water supply, solid waste management, hospital wards and cemeteries, are not provided with even basic facilities and are denied housing assistance. Workers complain they are not given water or soap for washing at city waste dumps, are not provided with protective clothing and have no rest or changing rooms. They are forced to remain out in the open all day. Street cleaners also suffer miserable conditions, moving tonnes of rotting garbage every day with primitive equipment.
Many workers fall ill or become alcoholics.
The BMC is proposing to cut the city's hospital budget by 12 percent in order to fund an offer of bonus payments. The proposal, which was discussed on Monday, threatens to further undermine the city's infrastructure and will cut health services for the poor. Even if the health cuts are implemented, however, they will only raise enough to pay 65 percent of the bonus claim. Indian university teachers strike over promotions Teachers from Delhi University went on strike last Monday to protest against the government's refusal to honour a written agreement on their career advancement scheme, as well as other work issues. The workers have threatened to campaign outside the corporation's headquarters in Delhi if their demands are not met soon.