CHANDIGARH; July 28:
In a major relief to thousands of sanitation workers across Punjab, the Bhagwant Mann Government on Tuesday announced a comprehensive welfare package for Safai Sevaks and Sewermen working in Urban Local Bodies. The government has decided to bring outsourced sanitation workers with three years of continuous service under direct contracts, regularise contractual workers who have completed five years of service along with those engaged in 2021, and revise the monthly remuneration of contractual sanitation staff to ₹20,520 with effect from August 1, 2026.
Announcing the decisions at a press conference held at Punjab Bhawan, Punjab Local Government Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has approved the immediate conversion of Safai Sevaks and Sewermen working on outsourcing in Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats who have completed three years of service into direct contractual employees. This decision will provide major relief to our respected Safai Sevaks and Sewermen.”
Describing it as another landmark decision of the Bhagwant Mann Government, the Local Government Minister said, “CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has also decided that all contractual Safai Sevaks and Sewermen who have completed five years of service, along with all those engaged in 2021, will be regularised. This is a historic step that will ensure the welfare of every Safai Sevak and Sewerman serving Punjab.”
Explaining the implementation process, Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “All Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats have been directed to place the matter before their respective Houses and pass resolutions. Urban Local Bodies have complete service records of every worker. Once each House forwards its resolution along with the details of eligible employees, the state government will issue the final approval. The faster a Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council or Nagar Panchayat sends its proposal, the faster we will approve it and complete the process of regularisation in accordance with the directions of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann.”
The Local Government Minister further said, “As announced yesterday, the revised remuneration will come into effect from August 1, 2026. Employees being shifted from outsourcing to direct contract will receive a monthly remuneration of ₹20,520. This will significantly increase their take-home pay, while the applicable statutory contributions will continue to be deposited in their respective funds.”
Calling the decisions a major milestone for sanitation workers, Harjot Singh Bains said, “This decision restores dignity to the very hands that keep our cities clean. Today, the Bhagwant Mann Government has fulfilled its commitment to our sanitation workers. We are building a society rooted in equity, respect and dignity for those who work tirelessly to keep our towns and cities clean.”
The Minister said the decisions were taken after extensive consultations with employee representatives. “We held detailed discussions with several union leaders yesterday. Today, the Cabinet Sub-Committee comprising Finance Minister S. Harpal Singh Cheema and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak held marathon meetings with representatives of sanitation workers’ unions. Consensus has been reached on all major issues, and the remaining minor concerns will also be resolved in the coming days,” he said.
Appealing to all sanitation workers to resume duties in the larger public interest, Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “I request all employee unions to call off the strike, especially during the monsoon season, so that the spread of waterborne and vector-borne diseases can be prevented. The government has already taken major decisions in favour of Safai Sevaks and Sewermen. Now it is our collective responsibility to keep our markets, cities, hospitals, schools, gurdwaras, temples and all public places clean and safe. I sincerely appeal to every Safai Sevak and Sewerman to return to work and continue their invaluable service to the people of Punjab.”
