100,000 Madhya Pradesh Sanitation Workers Launch Indefinite Strike

Over 100,000 sanitation workers across Madhya Pradesh have launched an indefinite state-wide strike, causing garbage to accumulate in residential areas and markets ahead of Diwali. Organized by the Akhil Bharat Safai Mazdoor Congress Trade Union, the action involves workers from 16 municipal corporations and 374 municipal councils.

Protesters are demanding the regularization of contractual employees, official government employee status, and a minimum monthly salary of 25,000 rupees for those under the 29-day system. In Bhopal, the strike has left more than 400 garbage collection vehicles parked. The situation escalated when police blocked workers attempting to deliver a memorandum to the Chief Minister's residence.

Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya and Principal Secretary Manoj Dubey have scheduled talks with the union to resolve the dispute. However, union leaders have stated that workers will not return to their duties until a positive result is achieved.