Archive · 6 Jan 2026
Sanitary workers protest privatisation in Cooum River
Some workers who clean up trash in Chennai, India, are very upset.
The city government wants to let private companies take over their jobs in two areas.
The workers are afraid they will lose their jobs, so they have been protesting for a long time.
On January 5, some of them even went into a dirty river to show how serious they are.
The police had to take them out of the river.
The workers want the government to talk to them and promise to keep their jobs, but so far, the government has not agreed to talk.
Sanitary workers protested in the Cooum River against the privatisation of solid waste management in Thiru Vi Ka Nagar and Royapuram zones.
The protest was organised by Uzhippor Urimai Iyakkam and has been ongoing for 158 days.
Workers fear job losses and demand regularisation of their services.
Police and Fire and Rescue Personnel removed the protesters from the river and took them to a community hall.
The workers' union president stated that the government is willing to talk to other protesting groups but not with the sanitary workers.
- Who
- Sanitary workers, including women, and the Greater Chennai Corporation
- What
- Protest against the privatisation of solid waste management in two zones
- When
- January 5, with protests ongoing for 158 days
- Where
- Cooum River, Chennai
- Why
- To protest against job losses and demand regularisation of services
- Date of Protest
- January 5
- Location
- Cooum River, Chennai
- Organisation
- Greater Chennai Corporation
- Zones Affected
- Thiru Vi Ka Nagar and Royapuram
- Protest Duration
- 158 days
- Protest Organisers
- Uzhippor Urimai Iyakkam
- Protesters Removed By
- Police and Fire and Rescue Personnel