Wed Sep 24 15:13:36 UTC 2025: ## News Article: Dharwad Civic Workers Launch Indefinite Strike Demanding Direct Employment
**HUBBALLI, September 24, 2025 -** Members of the Dharwad District Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Civic Workers and Employees Association initiated an indefinite strike in Dharwad on Wednesday, demanding direct recruitment by the municipal corporation and timely wage payments as per government regulations.
The protestors have established a day-and-night sit-in demonstration in front of the Dharwad Municipal Corporation office, chanting slogans condemning both the municipal corporation and the state government for their failure to address long-standing concerns.
The civic workers claim that despite a government directive and the cancellation of outsourcing contracts for sanitation work in 10 other municipal corporations across the state, the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) continues to outsource sanitation services.
Vijay Guntral, the district president of the association, highlighted that a resolution was passed by the municipal corporation’s general body on October 10, 2023, to pay direct wages to 799 outsourced civic workers. However, he alleged that the Secretary of the Urban Development Department rejected the resolution due to political pressure.
The protestors emphasized the constant fear of job loss faced by current sanitation workers under the outsourcing system. They are urging the state government to immediately abolish outsourcing and directly recruit civic workers, citing instances of harassment by outsourcing agencies, including a recent suicide attempt by a worker.
Gangamma Sidramapur, Kanakappa Kotabagi, and other leaders are spearheading the ongoing protest, which aims to secure job security and fair treatment for Dharwad’s sanitation workers.
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