Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 12: Railways Loading & Unloading Workers Union, affiliated to CITU organized one day convention at Narwal here today.
While addressing the workers, CITU president and MLA Mohd Yousuf Tarigami said that dismal scenario of social security benefits to the workers, rampant violation of labour laws, non-implementation of Minimum Wages Act, extensive contractualization, attack on trade union rights have proved detrimental to the interests of working class.
He said with the policies of this Government the working class has been facing lot of exploitation and discrimination. He further said that loading unloading workers should be under the ambit of the Building & Other Construction Workers (Regulations of Employment and Conditions of Services ) Act 1996 and should be registered with the J&K Welfare Board to provide them all the beneficial schemes of Board.
Kailash Nayak, general secretary of the Workers Union, alleged that workers are being exploited by the concerned contractors as rates of wages have not been increased for the last more than three years and if they project their demand, the contractors threaten to unload the goods at Bari Brahmana or other stations. He demanded 50 % increase in the rates of the wages of the workers. He also demanded facilities of drinking water, canteen, proper bathrooms, rest room and dispensary for the workers at the station.
Om Parkash, general secretary CITU stressed upon the social security benefits of the workers including pension, provident fund, health insurance, ESIC etc. Sham Parsad Kesar senior CITU leader also spoke on the occasion. He projected the plight of the working class.