Jobless Sanitation Workers Offer to Work for Free as Monsoon Looms

As of October 25th, 2025, over 1,300 NULM sanitation workers in Chennai have been left jobless for nearly three months following the privatization of conservancy operations in two city zones. With the northeast monsoon season approaching, these workers have now offered to resume work under the Greater Chennai Corporation, even without pay, to address the impending shortage of manpower and prevent garbage accumulation during the rainy days.

The workers had previously gone on a one-day hunger strike on Saturday, demanding better wages, reinstatement into the GCC, and job security. While 420 NULM workers have already joined the private contractor, the remaining 1,350 are eager to return as corporation employees. However, the authorities are reportedly forcing the workers to shift to private employment, despite their willingness to work for the GCC.

With nearly 500 sanitary worker vacancies in zones 5 and 6, the GCC and the private contractor have begun recruitment to fill the gaps. The GCC commissioner has stated that they had waited for the workers to join the private contractor even after the given deadline, and with the shortage of manpower, the contractor has been instructed to fill the vacancies.