MADURAI: A heated confrontation between sanitation workers’ unions and Ourland, the private agency handling solid waste management in Madurai, on Wednesday resulted in disruption in garbage collection across parts of the city.
The dispute, centred on allegations of worker mistreatment and counterclaims of assault and theft, has once again highlighted the uneasy relationship between the agency and its workforce.
Workers have been protesting for a long time seeking to remove privatisation and several protests have erupted between the workers and the private agencies earlier.
Speaking to TNIE, Boominathan, a functionary of the LPF sanitation worker’s union, alleged that the private agency has been deducting salaries of several drivers without justification.
“For the past four days, we have been in talks with the company. On Tuesday, one of the drivers was removed from duty. Our union representatives went to Sellur to hold discussions with the officials. Even though we asked drivers to continue their work, Ourland officials themselves collected the keys and restricted drivers from operating vehicles. Now they are falsely accusing us of stealing the keys. We only asked drivers to take the keys so they could carry out their duties,” he said.
The union further demanded that the Corporation take action against the company, claiming Ourland has repeatedly mistreated sanitation workers. Ourland, however, presented a different version. In its complaint to Sellur police, the agency alleged that on Wednesday, a group of defaulting drivers and workers—against whom memos had been issued for poor performance, property damage, and diesel theft—forced their way into its Sellur shed. The shed reportedly houses nearly 500 vehicle keys, diesel tags, and Corporation property.
The company claimed the agitators, supported by outsiders, assaulted its staff, stole vehicle keys and documents, and damaged fittings and furniture. It named trade union representatives Balasubramanian (CITU) and Boominathan (LPF) among those who led the incident. Ourland accused them of intimidation, conspiracy, and causing wrongful loss to both the company and government property, while warning that disruption of sanitation services had created a public health risk.
Corporation officials, however, denied large-scale disruption and said sanitation work was continuing with available drivers. They added that sanitation officers had been directed to mediate between Ourland and the workers’ unions.
Sanitation workers are expected to meet Corporation officials on Friday to press their demands.
Meanwhile, residents complained that large amounts of waste remained uncollected. They urged the Corporation to step in immediately and clear the piled-up garbage, warning that it was creating serious sanitation issues.