Mahavitaran contract workers hold dharna in Nagpur over pay, bonus and job security

Nagpur: With Diwali near, contract workers of Mahavitaran continue to face problems over wages, bonus and arrears. On Tuesday, October 27, they held a dharna to press their various demands.

The agitation was led by the Maharashtra Bijli Theka Kamgar Sangh, an organisation affiliated to the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh. The workers demanded an end to the arbitrariness of contractors, assurance of job security and immediate implementation of the pending minimum wage. They said that until action is taken on their genuine demands, the resolution of their problems would remain incomplete.

The workers voiced their anger over issues such as delayed wages, arrears, bonus and uncertainty of employment. Through the agitation, the organisation sent a clear message that questions concerning the workers' financial interests and job security can no longer be ignored.

Their main demand is that wages, the pending wage difference and bonus be paid before Diwali. The organisation has demanded that contract workers be freed from the alleged pressure of contractors, that the changed policy be withdrawn, and that contractors' power to remove workers from work at will be curbed. It also stressed keeping a check on contractors' arbitrariness and ensuring accountability of officials. The organisation also demanded that protected workers who were kept away from work because of court cases be taken back.

The agitation also demanded immediate implementation of the pending minimum wage and compliance with the LIFO rule. The workers asked for control over the companies Smart and Crystal, and for accident insurance, a petrol allowance and a mobile allowance to be introduced. The organisation said workers should get safety and essential facilities while on the job. It said the pending issues relating to wages and allowances must be resolved to give the workers relief.

The contract workers demanded a change in the tender process so that only one contractor is engaged in a circle. They also demanded that all court cases be linked to the Sampark portal and that the Haryana pattern be implemented. Through the agitation, the workers stressed the need for job security, timely payment and effective control over contractors' arbitrariness. They have also submitted a memorandum of their demands to BJP leader Chitra Wagh.