Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 21: One day convention of various unions of construction workers working in organized and unorganized sector under the banner of CWFI/CITU was held today at Press Club here, wherein they highlighted their demands.
Hundreds of construction workers attended the convention. The convention was presided over by Romesh Chand, president of Nirman Mazdor Union-Jammu. Among others the convention was addressed by Om Parkash, general secretary of State CITU. Representatives of different unions expressed their concern over various problems being faced by the workers.
While addressing the convention, Om Parkash expressed serious concern over the neo liberal economic policies pursued by the Central and State Governments. He said these policies are drastically affecting the workforce especially working in the unorganized sector across the country, virtually reducing them to the status of bonded labourer.
He also expressed his serious concern over the anti-workers attitude of the management of the companies deployed in the execution of four lane roads, Railway tracks and hydro power projects in the State. He stressed upon the present dispensation to strictly implement minimum wages so that these poor workers are entitled to the basic social security benefits like EPF, ESI and gratuity.
Jagdish Sharma, general secretary of Nirman Mazdor Union, in his address said that Section 22 of BOCW Act 1996 says that pension and housing loans should be provided to the registered construction workers but so far nothing has been done while our neighboring states like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pardesh, Rajastan, Delhi etc are providing pension to the construction workers after they attain the age of 60 years.
The convention adopted several resolutions which include the resolution of implementation of pension and housing loan/ assistance, implementation of minimum wages, labour laws, social security benefits for CPL BRO/ GREF workers, simplifying the process of registration of workers and redressal of burning issues confronting working class.
Raj Kumar, general secretary, Bhawan Nirman Kamgar Union-Kathua also spoke on the occasion.
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