Black-clad workers submit demands as civic strike hits day seven in Proddatur

Andhra Pradesh: Intensifying their state-wide agitation, municipal sanitation and engineering workers, wearing black clothes to symbolize their discontent, submitted a memorandum of demands to the Municipal Commissioner on Saturday. Their strike, organized under the banner of the CITU, has now entered its seventh consecutive day.

Protest led by engineering workers, backed by sanitation staff

The protest began on July 12 with engineering workers demanding implementation of long-pending Government Orders (GOs) concerning wages and benefits. Sanitation workers, standing in solidarity, have joined the strike and abstained from their duties, marking a significant escalation in the movement.

Black dress protest symbolizes frustration

On the seventh day, workers arrived dressed in black clothing to highlight their anger over the government’s failure to act on pre-election promises. The workers submitted a petition to the Municipal Commissioner, reiterating their key demands and urging immediate redressal.

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Core demands of the protesters

The striking municipal workers are demanding immediate implementation of wage hikes as per Government Orders (GO) No. 1 and GO No. 15. They are also calling for the application of welfare schemes such as Thaliki Vandanam for municipal engineering staff, along with monthly wages of Rs 21,000 and Rs 24,500 in line with GO No. 36. In addition, the workers are seeking the provision of ration cards, retirement benefits, and the revival of older labour protection laws. Among their other key demands are the assurance of at least one government job per sanitation worker’s family and timely wage revisions to reflect the rising cost of living.

Leaders accuse government of betrayal

Kadapa District CITU President K Srinivasulu Reddy, addressing the protesters, criticized the state government for failing to implement the welfare schemes it had promised before the elections. “Equal pay for equal work remains unfulfilled, and that is unacceptable,” he said.

Nagara Deepikas and Secretariat staff lend support

Support for the protest is widening. Women workers from the Nagara Deepika** program expressed solidarity with the strike, which is rare and highly symbolic. Leaders from the Secretariat JAC, including Chairman Mastan and Convener KV Nagarjuna, also pledged support along with other government staff.

Municipal union vows to continue agitation

Salmon, Secretary of the Municipal Workers’ Welfare Association, confirmed that the protest will continue across Andhra Pradesh until the government responds to the just and rightful demands of the workers. He also acknowledged the growing support from public associations and leaders across political lines.

Union leadership participates actively

Several union leaders, including CITU District Secretary Satyanarayana, Town President Chanti, Municipal Union Treasurer Raghava and Honorary President Vijay Kumar, actively participated in Saturday’s protest, reaffirming their commitment to the workers’ cause.