On 3 November, unions representing sanitation and cleaning workers of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC)jointly organised a protest calling for the reinstatement of dismissed workers, the inclusion of daily-based cleaners in the government pay scale, and an end to wage discrimination. The workers also demanded festival bonuses at par with Dhaka North City Corporation and housing support for cleaners. 

Their five-point charter includes: 

1. Reinstatement of sanitation workers unfairly dismissed. 

2. Inclusion of daily-based workers in the pay scale, as practiced previously in Greater Dhaka. 

3. Implementation of Memorandum No. 381 (2021) to ensure appointment of family members of workers who passed away on duty. 

4. Abolition of the 59-year employment system and guaranteed job security. 

5. Festival bonus of 10,000 taka and provision of adequate housing for sanitation workers. 

Following the demonstration, the Local Government Adviser met with union representatives and verbally assured them that the demands will be reviewed, and necessary steps will be taken towards implementation. 

“We have suspended our actions for now because we have received assurances,” said Dhiresh Chandra Das, President, Scavengers and Workers Union. “But our stand is firm—if the commitments are not fulfilled within a reasonable time, we will return to the streets and protest.” 

“Every festival, every month, we struggle to cover basic expenses,” said Md Arif Chowdhury, President, Dhaka South City Corporation Sramik Karmachari Union (DSCCSKU). “Including us in the pay scale is not a favour — it is our right.” 

Workers also emphasised the urgency of stable employment and dignity at work. 

“We keep the city running every day,” said ..., a sanitation worker. “It is not too much to ask for job security and fair treatment. We want to work, not struggle to survive.” 

The unions stated that they will monitor the progress of the promised actions, and if necessary, announce the next phase of the movement.