Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 17: More than 600 workers are working at Railway Complex without any safety measures and no Labour Officer deputed by the concerned department, which points towards some kind of nexus between contractors and Labour Department. They are being exploited by not implementing the basic labour laws like minimum wages, working hours, safety measures, social security benefits, etc.
This was stated by President, State CITU and MLA, MY Tarigami at the 1st ever conference of Railway Loading and Unloading Workers’ Union, Jammu held at Railway Complex, here today.
He seriously viewed the plight of the poor workers who have not been provided any safety measures, accommodation, medical facilities, drinking water, bath rooms etc. and also lambasted Labour Department and the employers for not covering the workers under the ambit of ESI Act and Provident Fund meant for their social security.
Sham Prasad Kesar, senior leader of State CITU said that some of the workers working there died due to hazardous work and insanitation habitat, but no compensation was being paid either to the workers or to their dependents. He also criticised the Railway Authorities for being responsible for the plight of the workers and stressed upon the authorities to intervene.
Meanwhile, a resolution was passed, which strongly demanded 50% increase in wages of workers, providing safety uniform, shoes and masks to all workers, suitable accommodations with bath rooms, safe drinking water, ESI benefits, provident fund, gratuity, compensation for injuries, weekly paid rest, overtime, dispensary, canteen facility at work place, union office, free travelling in railway from Jammu to Home Town and back to Jammu.
He appreciated the struggle of the workers against their exploitation, who were being exploited there as bounded labourers for last 40 years.
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