RIMS Kadapa Sanitation Workers Protest: 6 Urgent Developments as Trade Union Condemns Arrests
By Doruvu Paul Jagan Babu: Assistant Chief Editor
Kadapa – Andhra Pradesh: Rayalaseema Trade Union leaders on Wednesday condemned the alleged police action against protesting sanitation workers at RIMS in Kadapa and reiterated that the agitation would continue until the dismissed workers are reinstated.
Speaking at a media conference held at the RCP office along with leaders of various organisations, Rayalaseema Trade Union City Secretary Madagalam Prasad criticised the arrests of workers who had been on an indefinite hunger strike demanding job reinstatement.
Condemnation of alleged police action
Madagalam Prasad alleged that sanitation workers who were protesting peacefully were forcibly detained and their hunger strike camp was removed without prior notice. He said the workers had been observing the fast for four days and questioned the need for deploying a large police force to detain them during the night.
According to him, such actions were unjustified when the workers were only raising demands related to their livelihood and employment security.
Call for dialogue instead of force
The trade union leader said the issue could have been resolved through discussions between the authorities, contractors, and labour representatives. He alleged that no prior notice was issued to the workers regarding their dismissal and that labour unions were not consulted before taking such decisions.
Prasad stressed that labour disputes should be addressed through dialogue and negotiations rather than enforcement measures.
Agitation to continue
He said the movement would continue until the dismissed sanitation workers are reinstated and their grievances are addressed.
Trade union leaders stated that the protest was being conducted within constitutional rights and aimed at securing justice for workers who depend on the jobs for their livelihood.
Leaders including Lakshmi Devi, Chapala Subbarayudu, and Venkatesh participated in the media conference and expressed support for the workers’ cause.
Kadapa RIMS Becomes Center of Labour Unrest
The protest by sanitation workers at the Government Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences in Kadapa has escalated into a significant labour dispute, drawing sharp reactions from trade unions and civil society groups. The workers, many of whom are employed through private contractors, have been demanding reinstatement after alleged dismissals that they claim were sudden and unfair.
Tensions intensified after police reportedly detained several protesting workers and cleared the hunger strike camp that had been set up near the hospital premises. The sanitation staff had been on an indefinite fast, stating that their only demand was job security and continuation of employment. Workers say they depend entirely on these wages to support their families and have limited alternative livelihood options.
Leaders of the Rayalaseema Trade Union strongly criticised the reported action, calling it unnecessary and heavy-handed. Addressing the media, City Secretary Madagalam Prasad said the workers were conducting a peaceful protest within their constitutional rights. He alleged that detaining workers at night and dismantling the protest site without prior notice raised serious concerns about the handling of labour grievances.
Union representatives argued that disputes related to employment should be resolved through structured dialogue involving hospital authorities, contractors, and worker representatives. They claimed that neither proper notice nor consultation preceded the dismissals, leaving workers uncertain about their future.
The issue has also sparked debate over the conditions of contract workers in public institutions across Andhra Pradesh. Labour groups say sanitation staff form an essential part of hospital operations, ensuring hygiene and patient safety, yet often work with minimal job protection and limited benefits.
Protesting workers have vowed to continue their agitation until dismissed staff are reinstated and assurances are provided regarding job security. Trade union leaders warned that the movement could intensify if authorities fail to initiate talks promptly, signalling the possibility of broader labour mobilization in the region.
