CHENNAI: Despite Minister Rajmohan holding talks with the Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam on Monday, sanitary workers continued their protest, now at Ripon Building, for the sixth consecutive day on Tuesday, demanding an opportunity to meet Chief Minister Vijay and present their demands.
Speaking to TNIE, K Suresh, LTUC state secretary, said, “On Monday, the minister agreed that most of our demands are fair, except for job regularisation.”
“We told the minister that until we meet the CM and see action on our demands, we would continue our protest at the designated area within the Ripon Building, to which the minister agreed.”
However, on Tuesday, police officials allegedly prevented the workers from holding the protest at the designated location, citing “huge protester count”. Nearly 500 sanitary workers were present.
A senior police officer said, “We did not ask the protesters to leave the place or to end the stir. We just told them that if the GCC commissioner accepts their request, they can continue their protest inside the Ripon Building.”
Sources said Loyola Mani, on behalf of Minister Rajmohan met the sanitary workers on Tuesday night and assured that the government will ensure they are allowed to continue their protest in the designated area within Ripon Building premises, and that arrangements will be made for them to meet the CM. Following this, the workers dispersed around 10:15 pm, sources said. None of them were detained.