CHENNAI: A 44-year-old cleanliness worker, who had been participating in protests demanding job security and regularisation, died on Tuesday.

The deceased, identified as M Rajendran, was a sanitation worker from Zone 5. According to the Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam (UUI), the organisation spearheading the protest, Rajendran's health deteriorated during this period, and he was allegedly unable to access proper medical treatment due to financial constraints.

Along with fellow cleanliness workers, Rajendran had earlier taken part in the protest, which has been going on for more than 150 days. Labour activists said the absence of income and prolonged uncertainty has taken a toll on several workers involved in the agitation.

The UUI stated that four sanitation workers have died so far after losing their jobs, and urged the Tamil Nadu government to resolve the issue by holding talks with workers' representatives immediately.

The union demanded that a government job be provided to a member of Rajendran's family and that Rs 25 lakh be given as compensation. It also called for negotiations to be initiated at the earliest to prevent further distress among the city's cleanliness workers.