MCD Hires 2,000 Outsourced Sanitation Workers, Triggering Union Protests
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has hired 2,000 sanitation workers on a three-month outsourcing basis to address the winter pollution season and enhance night cleaning, prompting immediate protests by sanitation worker unions at the Civic Centre on Monday.
The sanitation workers union opposes the outsourcing model, arguing that the civic body is expanding the number of contractual staff instead of sanctioning permanent positions. Union members met with Mayor Pravesh Wahi at the Civic Centre to register their objections and demand the cancellation of the newly issued private contracts. The union is also demanding the regularisation of all existing daily-wage and temporary sanitation staff currently employed by the corporation.
According to an MCD functionary, the temporary hiring was initiated to ensure enhanced cleaning across major markets and railway locations, as well as to scale up night cleaning operations across the city. The official clarified that the engagement is a one-time hiring for an 89-day period and will not be extended after completion.
Mayor Pravesh Wahi stated that the civic body intends to regularise 3,000 sanitation workers in a phased manner in the coming days. He explained that the temporary intake of 2,000 workers was carried out specifically in response to air pollution concerns and the upcoming Diwali festival period.
The union core committee strongly contested this explanation in a formal representation dated November 2. The union noted that 600 workers had previously been engaged on contract in February, following which protests took place and assurances were given that contract hiring would cease. The union stated that the earlier contracts were instead extended and 2,000 additional workers were deployed on November 2 through a private tender process, calling the move a violation of their rights.
Following the symbolic demonstration at the Civic Centre, the union issued a letter to the Chief Minister warning of escalating agitation. The union announced that it will stage a protest on November 5 at 11 am in Shalimar Bagh near the Chief Minister's residence if their demands remain unaddressed.
