In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the State Government on Monday invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to prohibit strikes by sanitation workers.
“Government of Odisha hereby prohibits strikes by any agency or group of persons dealing with sanitation work in ULBs (Urban Local Bodies) of the State and by the casual workers connected with supply and distribution of drinking water in the ULBs. This will be applicable to all the ULBs of the State, PHEO, OWSSB and WATCO,” an official order said.
The order shall remain in force for a period of six months, it added.
