MP Sanitation Workers End Four-Day Strike After Regularisation Assurance

Sanitation workers across Madhya Pradesh resumed door-to-door garbage collection on Saturday after calling off their four-day strike following late-night negotiations with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. The breakthrough came after the state government agreed to initiate the regularisation of eligible municipal employees, with the proposed arrangement expected to increase monthly earnings of workers employed for 25 days a month from Rs 10,500 to between Rs 18,000 and Rs 20,000. The settlement has brought temporary relief to urban local bodies struggling to restore essential civic services, but its implementation will determine whether the agreement addresses longstanding concerns over low wages, contractual employment and job security.

According to union president Magan Jhanjhot, workers had initially demanded a monthly salary of Rs 25,000 but accepted the government's proposal. A committee comprising government officials and union representatives will examine the regularisation of employees working 29 days a month and daily-wage workers, with the exercise expected to be completed within one month. Pending compassionate appointment cases involving deceased employees' families will also be considered.

The agitation, organised under the Madhya Pradesh Akhil Bharatiya Safai Mazdoor Congress, involved employees from sanitation, water supply, fire services, horticulture, electricity and other municipal departments. Workers demanded higher wages, permanent employment, social security benefits and an end to outsourcing. Union representatives claimed that more than one lakh municipal employees participated statewide, although independent verification of the figure remains unavailable.

The strike severely disrupted Bhopal's waste management system, leaving approximately 2,550 tonnes of garbage accumulated across the city. Bhopal generates around 800–850 tonnes of municipal waste daily and relies on more than 400 collection vehicles and 17 transfer stations to transport garbage to the Adampur Chhawni disposal facility. Services were also affected in Jabalpur, Gwalior, Shivpuri and Vidisha.

Protesters additionally disrupted water tanker operations, causing shortages in several localities. Garbage accumulation around residential neighbourhoods and markets raised concerns over public hygiene and pollution.

The settlement also brings attention to sanitation workers' occupational safety, including protective equipment, healthcare and hazardous working conditions. National initiatives such as NAMASTE and Swachh Bharat Mission - Urban 2.0 seek to improve sanitation workers' safety through mechanisation and welfare measures.

Following the agreement, Bhopal Mayor Malti Rai, Collector Priyank Mishra and Municipal Commissioner Ramprakash Ahirwar joined workers in a cleanliness drive at 10-Number Market.