Many of Bengaluru’s waste collectors have not received their salaries for nearly four months, exacerbating financial hardship. According to reports from The Hindu National and The Hindu Bengaluru, irregular payments have become a recurring issue, with contractors typically paying workers every two months. This time, however, the delay has stretched to over three months in some areas, forcing workers to rely on informal income sources such as ragpicking and selling recyclables.

The situation has drawn criticism from both waste collectors and pourakarmikas, who have expressed frustration over the civic body’s handling of the issue. Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda recently highlighted absenteeism among street sweepers, a move that has sparked demands for an apology from workers. Appanna of the BBMP Pourakarmikara Sangha questioned whether the civic body had fulfilled its responsibilities to these vulnerable workers.

Chinnappa, a waste collector in East Bengaluru, described the financial strain of relying on informal income. He stated that he has not received his salary for over three months, adding that this has been a persistent issue for years. Ramesh, another garbage vehicle driver, reported that his contractors had paid for two months 15 days ago, but expressed hope for monthly payments, noting that his wife’s earnings as a construction laborer are their primary source of income.

Contractors have blamed the civic body for delays in clearing bills, with Balasubramanyam, a garbage management contractor, stating that the last time their bills were cleared was in March 2026. He added that contractors are attempting to provide salaries to workers through debt, highlighting the systemic challenges in ensuring timely payments.

Appanna also raised concerns about workers being targeted by contractors, with those demanding timely salaries often fired and replaced by migrants. These migrants, who live in precarious conditions, are paid significantly less and face threats of eviction or being labeled illegal immigrants. The civic body mandates a minimum salary of ₹21,000, but local workers receive around ₹13,000, while migrants are paid less than ₹10,000.

Karee Gowda, CEO of Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd (BSWML), was not available for comment. The situation remains unresolved, with no indication of when payments will resume. The lack of clarity and the ongoing financial strain on workers underscore the urgent need for systemic reform in the city’s waste management and labor practices.