STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: President of State CITU and MLA Kulgam, M.Y Tarigami on Tuesday lambasted Labour Department and the employers for not covering workers-under the ambit of EPF, ESI meant for the social security.
Tarigami was addressing a conference orgnaised by Railway Loading and Unloading Workers Union, here on Tuesday.
Earlier, workers assembled at Panama Chowk and held a rally holding flags, banners and placards in their hands and shouting slogans for their unity and demands.
The rally passed through the Divisional Commissioner Office, Railway Mode, Narwal Chowk and culminated at conference venue.
While speaking on the occasion, Tarigami appreciated the struggle of workers against the exploitation and also for their significant role in all the protests organised by the State CITU and by the union itself.
He seriously viewed the plight of these poor workers who have not been provided safety measures, accommodation, medical facilities, drinking water etc.
He said it seems that the contractors and the concerned department have made a nexus for exploitation of these workers.
He added that government also failed to implement the basic labour laws like minimum wages, working hours, safety measures and social security benefits.
He urged upon the workers to unite for struggling against their exploitation.
Om Parkash, General Secretary State CITU and President of the Union narrated the whole story that how the State committee had faced threats from the persons who have criminal background and difficulties while organising the workers in the year 2010.
He said so far we have achieved a meager increase in the wages of the workers but much more has to be done in future and for that we should resolve to unite and prepare ourselves for strong struggle.
Sham Parshad Kesar senior leader of CITU said that these workers are living in very inhuman condition and a number of workers are suffering from prolonged diseases where many have died due to hazardous work and insanitation habitation, but no compensation has been paid either to the workers or their dependants.
He stressed upon the authorities to intervene and demanded that the workers should be taken on the pay roles of the railway and their services should be regularised as their work is totally related to the Railway Department. Kailash Chander Nayak, General Secretary of the Union highlighted the demands which include 50 per cent increase in wages, providing safety measures, uniform, shoes, masks to all workers, suitable accommodation with bath rooms, safe drinking water, ESI benefits, providing fund, gratuity compensation for injuries/death, weakly paid rest, overtime, dispensary, canteen facility at work place, union office, free travelling in railways from Jammu to Home town and back to Jammu, equal wage for equal work etc.
Others present on the occasion included Ramesh Chand, Muzafar Wani, Ganessh, Mohi, Babu, Bhomick, Ajeet Raj, Raj Kumar and Ashok Kumar.
