Sanitation workers of the Greater Chennai Corporation have temporarily called off their protest following talks with the State government.

The next round of negotiations has been scheduled for October 3.

On the directions of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, Ministers C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar, N. Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, and Rajmohan held discussions with GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran and the sanitation workers who have been protesting for over 15 days. “In the past, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has stood in support of the rights of sanitation workers. I wish to state that amicable solutions will be reached as early as possible through negotiations,” Mr. Aadhav Arjuna said in a post on X.

According to the organiser Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam, the demands agreed upon include food allowance of ₹50 a day for all conservancy workers from October 1 and the construction of women’s toilets and restrooms by September 30. Criminal cases filed during the previous government against those who supported sanitation workers’ protests will be withdrawn.

About 160 battery-operated vehicles will be provided in Tondiarpet, Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar, and Anna Nagar zones. Families of sanitation workers who died while in service will be provided jobs and compensation. Raincoats will be provided annually instead of once every two years, while workers will receive two masks a day and additional safety equipment, including gloves.

A sanitation workers’ welfare board office will be established on the GCC office premises, with an officer appointed to oversee it. Steps will be taken to ensure all workers register with this board.

Officials will hold consultations with workers every two months, while the GCC Commissioner will meet workers’ unions every four months. The Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam will be provided space for a union office.

The demands for permanent employment, weekly holidays, maternity and menstrual leave, and the ₹832 daily wage fixed by the Collector will be discussed on October 3, the organisation said. A meeting between the Chief Minister and sanitation workers affiliated with the union is also expected to happen soon. The agreement covers several demands raised during the 14-day protest, it added.