Image is for representational purposes only | Photo credit: SR Raghunathan
Conservancy workers protesting the outsourcing of their work in Zones V (Royapuram) and VI (Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar) of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) are willing to work without pay during the November monsoon, Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam (UUI) told the Madras High Court on Monday.
In an affidavit filed before third division judge MS Ramesh and R. Sakthivel, UUI president K. Bharathi said the protesting workers were willing to work during November as a goodwill gesture and in the interest of the general public and that they would not even seek wages as a condition.
“Though it is true that we are suffering due to involuntary unemployment from August 1, 2025; we will do sanitation work during monsoon in November 2025 as service to people is an integral part of our life,” said the affidavit filed before the Division Bench during the hearing of several writ appeals.
Stating that neither the state government nor the GCC would be affected by accepting the unconditional and voluntary services of the protesting workers, Mr. Bharathi assured that they would not use these services either in the cases pending before the Supreme Court or in the dispute before the Industrial Tribunal.
“We offer to serve as people’s cleanliness fighters,” the deponent said, expressing confidence that the unions and concerned citizens of Chennai will definitely take care of the needs of the protesting conservation workers who serve during the monsoon season.
The UUI also admitted the claim of Delhi MSW Solutions Limited, which had contracted for conservation work in Zones V and VI, that it had issued appointment letters to 821 self-help group (SHG) conservation workers, but 400 of them had not reported for work even after receiving the letters.
The organization said 400 workers chose not to join the service due to unfavorable service conditions, low pay and lack of job security. It stated that if the contractor itself can change at any time, how can the entity ensure job security for security personnel.
After reviewing the affidavit, the commission adjourned the hearing on the appeals until November 10.
Published – 27 Oct 2025 21:21 IST
