Dimapur sanitation workers call off strike after DMC assures pending salaries cleared by December 16 and EPF dues.
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DIMAPUR — Sanitation workers under Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), who launched a cease-work protest over unpaid salaries and pending Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) dues, have called off their agitation and will resume duty from December 13.
The decision came after a meeting on Friday involving DMC Chief Executive Officer Thungchanbemo Tungoe, DMC Chairman Hukheto Yepthomi, councillors, and representatives of the sanitation workers.
The DMC assured that salaries for October and November would be cleared on or before December 16, and that outstanding EPF contributions would be settled by March 2026.
Representatives of the sanitation workers, however, warned that they would resume their protest if the commitments were not honoured.
There are more than 200 sanitation workers under DMC, with wages ranging between INR 7,000 and INR 19,000 per month. Their demands also include regular disbursement of monthly salaries from January 2026.
Also read: Dimapur Municipal Council sanitation workers cease work in protest against non-payment of salary
The sanitation staff had submitted a memorandum to the DMC chairman on December 4 regarding unpaid salaries from August to November, warning of agitation if dues were not cleared by December 10.
In response, the DMC released the August salary on December 9, followed by the September salary on December 11.
Earlier in the day, Dimapur witnessed waste strewn across several locations as the strike entered its second day, prompting widespread public resentment. However, garbage collection for the day remained suspended due to anticipated traffic congestion.
Meanwhile, residents expressed concern over the unhygienic conditions and potential health hazards, while many questioned the accountability and transparency surrounding the collection and utilisation of the monthly sanitation fee levied on every household under the DMC’s jurisdiction.
Observers maintained that the revenue from sanitation fees alone should be adequate to ensure timely payment of the workforce, unless funds have been diverted or mismanaged.
They stressed that timely payment of sanitation fees by households requires active involvement from civil-society bodies such as Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Fellowship (DUCCF) and GBs’ Union.
Citizens were also reminded of their responsibility to pay the mandated fee to prevent such disruptions in future.