Fri Jan 02 19:03:28 UTC 2026: Summary:
Sanitation workers in Chennai, India, employed by the Greater Chennai Corporation, were arrested on Friday, January 2nd, 2026, after protesting outside the residence of Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran. The workers have been engaged in phased protests demanding the regularization of their services, the withdrawal of privatization plans for civic sanitation, and permanent government employee status. Similar protests have been ongoing in the Royapuram and Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar zones.
News Article:
Chennai Sanitation Workers Arrested After Protesting Privatization
CHENNAI, INDIA – January 3, 2026 – Police arrested multiple sanitation workers employed by the Greater Chennai Corporation on Friday after a demonstration outside the home of Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran in Kilpauk. The workers, who have been engaged in a series of escalating protests, are demanding the regularization of their jobs, the halting of planned privatization efforts within the Corporation’s sanitation services, and recognition as permanent government employees.
The protests represent a growing unrest amongst sanitation workers in the city. Similar demonstrations have been reported in the Royapuram and Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar zones, highlighting the widespread frustration over job security and working conditions. The arrests underscore the ongoing tension between the Corporation and its sanitation workforce as negotiations surrounding the 16 demands remain unresolved.
First Piper 