Hooghly grinds to halt as civic workers strike over wages, retirement payouts and job cuts

Civic services in Chinsurah Municipality of Hooghly district have come to a standstill after temporary workers went on strike, demanding a wage hike and retirement benefits. The municipality, consisting of 30 wards—29 held by Trinamool Congress and one by CPI(M)—is currently unable to carry out waste collection and sanitation work due to the indefinite strike. Workers have also opposed the municipality's recent decision to remove all temporary employees aged over 65 from service.

The striking workers have placed two main demands: an increase in daily wages and a one-time retirement compensation of ₹5 lakh for those being retired. They have stated they will not return to work unless these demands are accepted. The municipality has not issued any official resolution yet. The decision to retire older workers and the absence of immediate negotiations have prolonged the deadlock.

Due to the disruption, garbage has accumulated in multiple localities including Gharir Mor, Pipulpati, Tolaphatak, Kamarpada, Taldanga, Khadinamore, Miyanber, Bandel, Imambara, and Chakbazar. With no collection happening for days, waste from municipal bins has spilled onto streets. Recent rainfall has worsened the situation, with organic waste such as vegetable peels and fish remains beginning to rot in public areas.