The Tamil Nadu unit of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has opposed the State government’s proposal to implement solid waste collection and transportation services in 12 municipal Corporations through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and demanded permanent employment for all sanitation workers.In a release, State general secretary M. Radhakrishnan said sanitation and solid waste management were essential public services directly linked to public health, livelihoods and environmental protection, and should not be subjected to private profit motives. He alleged that previous experiences with contract labour, outsourcing and PPP arrangements had resulted in low wages, job insecurity, denial of social security benefits and violations of trade union rights. The proposed PPP initiative would further weaken workers’ rights and public accountability, he said.Mr. Radhakrishnan urged the government to regularise all sanitation workers, including those employed through contracts, outsourcing agencies, self-help groups and daily wage arrangements, under provisions of the Tamil Nadu Permanent Status Act.He also called for the revision and implementation of minimum wages for workers employed in local bodies, pointing out that the wage structure notified in 2017 had neither been fully implemented nor revised periodically as mandated under law.Stating that payment of wages below the statutory minimum was a punishable offence, he sought action against contractors, companies and officials responsible for such violations.Mr. Radhakrishnan said sanitation workers, many of whom belonged to marginalised communities, had been engaged in the sector for generations and deserved permanent employment, living wages, social security benefits and safe working conditions. He urged the government to abandon plans to privatise sanitation services and ensure job security and labour rights for all workers. Published - June 23, 2026 05:45 pm IST