‘Check exploitation of contract labour’

May 02, 2019 12:53 am | Updated 12:53 am IST - Adilabad

CPI (M) district secretary Nunna Nageswara Rao and other activists staging a rally on the occasion of May Day in Khammam on Wednesday.

CPI (M) district secretary Nunna Nageswara Rao and other activists staging a rally on the occasion of May Day in Khammam on Wednesday.

Slogans espousing the cause of working class unity and demands of equal pay for equal work for daily wagers and contract workers as mandated by the law echoed the streets of the coal hub of Kothagudem on Wednesday as activists of various trade unions took out rallies to mark May Day.

The CITU-affiliated Singareni Collieries Employees Union (SCEU) took out a rally in the coal town and held meetings at various coal mines in Kothagudem and elsewhere in the district.

Speaking at a meeting held at the five-decade-old PVK 5 incline mine in Kothagudem, SCEU general secretary M. Narasimha Rao alleged that the exploitation of contract labourers and other workers in unorganised sector was continuing unabated in the State.

He demanded that the contract workers engaged in overburden removal, transport and other works in the State-owned Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL)’s coal mines be paid enhanced wages as recommended by the high power committee.

Social security benefits continue to elude most of the workers in unorganised sector in the State, he deplored.

Citing the severe heatwave conditions prevailing in the coal mining areas, he said the SCCL management should immediately reschedule the work timings of the coal workers and also vigorously implement heatwave mitigation measures in all the coal mines of the company.

Meanwhile, activists owing allegiance to the Singareni Collieries Workers Union, an affiliate of the AITUC, organised May Day rally in the coal town.

Artists of the Prajanaatya Mandali performed cultural programmes highlighting the need for working class unity to safeguard the interests of workforce and fight against “privatisation policies”.

CPI national council member Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao took part in the rally.

In a separate programme, Congress Legislature Party leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka participated in the May Day celebrations organised by the INTUC in Kothagudem.

In Khammam, the CITU town committee organised a rally to mark Labour Day. CPI (M) district secretary N. Nageswara Rao participated in the celebrations.

Khammam MLA P. Ajay Kumar took part in May Day celebrations organised by the TRS affiliated autorickshaw workers union near the bus station in the town.

Anti-labour policies

Trade unions across erstwhile united Adilabad district observed May Day by taking out rallies and organising public meetings on Wednesday. The All India Trade Union Congress and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions and their affiliated unions hoisted flags at chowks and party offices during the day.

Speakers at various programmes called for unity among the working class so as to oppose anti-labour policies of the State and Central governments.

For workers’ welfare

Stating that growth of an organisation coupled with that of workers would help maintain cordial industrial relations, NTPC Ramagundam Telangana Project chief general manager Vijai Singh said the NTPC has always strived to provide the best workplace facilities.

Speaking at the 133rd May Day celebrations on Wednesday, he said that the workers’ contribution has helped make the company a world-class organisation.

Highlighting the initiatives taken up for the welfare of workers, he said that the NTPC was conducting regular medical camps, audiometry checking, safety training, quality circles, work place safety and sanitation initiatives and also awards for the best workers.

He also called upon the workers to give priority to safety issues.

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