Why Chennai sanitation workers were detained in midnight crackdown; What were they protesting about?

Chennai: In a late-night operation on Wednesday (August 13), police in Chennai detained hundreds of sanitation workers protesting against the privatisation of conservancy operations in the city.

Here’s what happened, and why the sanitation workers have been protesting:

What are the sanitation workers protesting about?

The sanitation workers, employed under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM), were protesting the GCC’s decision to privatise solid waste management services in Royapuram (Zone 5) and Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar (Zone 6).

These are among the last five zones still managed directly by the civic body, with the remaining 10 already outsourced to contractors such as Spain-based Urbaser-Sumeet and Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd (REEL) from Andhra Pradesh.

What are their primary concerns?

Job security: Workers fear mass job losses if private companies take over, despite assurances that current contract workers would be absorbed.

Lower wages: Protesters argue that private firms pay less than the GCC, which would affect their livelihoods.

Lack of consultation: Many workers claim they were not informed or consulted before the decision was made.

Why happened yesterday night?

Around midnight, police rounded up the protesters, many of whom had been camped outside the Ripon Building for nearly two weeks. The entire operation lasted just 45 minutes, with workers being detained and transported in 14 buses.

Around 800 protesting conservancy workers were detained in what authorities have called a "preventive measure."

The detentions began around 11:30 p.m. and continued until 2:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Nearly 400 police personnel were involved in the operation.

Eyewitnesses and activists reported chaos during the detentions. Four women fainted and had to be hospitalised at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.

What is the government’s position?

The Greater Chennai Corporation has defended the move to outsource operations, stating that the transition would not leave workers behind. GCC Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran told the Madras High Court that workers would receive higher pay once absorbed by the private contractor. However, the exact terms of this proposed transition remain unclear, and workers say previous promises have not been honoured.

A council resolution passed on Monday (11 August) paved the way for private agencies to take over solid waste collection and transport in Zones 5 and 6, pending final approval from the state government.

Why are the protests gaining political attention?

The detentions have drawn swift condemnation:

TVK leader Vijay called the operation “inhumane and anarchic,” saying women were subjected to violence and families were left in the dark.

PMK’s Anbumani Ramadoss slammed the Chief Minister for his inaction in the matter. “Unleashing force on poor people is not courage, it is cowardice,” he posted on X.

The Leader of Opposition and AIADMK general secretary, addressing Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in a post on X, said: “Your administration unleashed oppression, attacking and crushing the sanitation workers who, even during COVID-19, tirelessly cleaned our garbage and kept the city spotless.”

“Who are they? Anti-social elements? Thugs? Naxalites? Not at all. They are poor, simple people! Is it a crime that these sanitation workers protested peacefully, condemning your failure to fulfil the promises you made and acting contrary to them,” he asked, demanding their immediate release.

Several lawyers and a law student were also reportedly detained during the protests. A habeas corpus petition against their detention is expected to be heard by the Madras High Court on Thursday (August 14) afternoon.