Nagpur: Smarting under simmering discontent over non-fulfillment of their demands by Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) the workers’ unions INTUC, AITUC, HMS and CITU have declared to strike work in mines situated in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh on July 18.
In a letter sent to WCL management the unions have warned that unless their various demands are fulfilled satisfactorily before June 29, the mine workers will go ahead with July 18 strike. If need arises, a call for an indefinite agitation will be given, the General Secretary of INTUC S Q Zama said at a press conference held on Thursday (June 23). “Everything is going on smoothly but the workers are being neglected by the WCL management. Their genuine demanded are not being met. This is leading to widespread discontent among the workers. There is no progress in the direction of fulfilling various demands such as upgradation of birth dates, jobs to dependants, manpower budget/promotions, welfare schemes like drinking water, health facilities, maintenance of workers’ houses and colonies, etc. No satisfactory solution was hammered out of the unions’ discussions with the authorities. The directives of JBCCI and Coal India Ltd are being neglected. The recommendations of the High-Powered Committee, set up by Central Government on January 1, 2013, regarding hiked wages have not been implemented till to date, S Q Zama lamented.
Zama said the representatives of these four unions, on June 14, have handed over the list of demands to CMD of WCL and also notified him of the July 18 strike. If the demands are not met before June 15 then the process of agitation will start from June 30 and culminate on July 18 strike. A call for indefinite strike could also be given if need is felt, he warned.
No “Acche Din”
The AITUC General Secretary Narendra Chandrayya, HMS President Umashankar Singh, and CITU General Secretary S H Beig said that forget the “Acche Din” for people as promised by the Modi Government the welfare schemes and facilities of workers are being cut. The demands of workers are being neglected. The Jule 18 strike is aimed at highlighting all these issues.
