Charter of 12 demands prepared in joint convention
Bhilai, Dec 16: The employees of Bhiali Steel Plant are going to participate in the nationwide strike scheduled on January 08 and 09, 2019. This strike is being staged for pressing the demands of initiation of wage revision deliberations; immediate implementation of SAIL Pension Scheme, preventing the investment of PF amount, ESI and Labour Welfare Fund in Share Market; ensuring minimum wages of Rs 18000; minimum pension of Rs 6000; equal pay for equal work; appointment of permanent workforce for works of permanent nature, etc.
The joint front of trade unions active in Bhilai Steel Plant jointly took the decision of participating in the strike during a convention held at Shram Shakti Sadan in Sector 6. SP Dey, DVS Reddy and Savita Kumari from CITU, Prem Singh Chandel, Pramod Kumar Mishra and Waji Ahmad from HMS; Vinod Kumar Soni from AITUC; Shyam Lal Sahu from AICCTU; Nand Kishore Gupta, R Dashrath Rao and Subodh Deshpande from Steel Workers Union and others were present.
At the outset, tributes were paid to the employees those who lost their lives in the October 09 Gasline Mishap of BSP. A five-member board was selected which included SP Dey of CITU, Nand Kishore Gupta of Steel Workers Union; Pramod Kumar Mishra of HMS; Basant Kumar Uike of AITUC and Ashok Miri of AICCTU. CITU President SP Dey presented the agenda of the meeting.
Discussions were held on several issues. The senior trade union leaders expressed concern over the crisis in Steel Sector. They discussed the hurdles in wage revision and explored the ways for resolution of issues. They unanimously protested the investment of PF, Labour Welfare and other funds in the Share Market. They condemned the management and the government over their failure in protecting the labours from exploitation. They demanded to introduce Fixed Term Employment. Deliberations were held on issues including crisis in banking sector; direct foreign investment; demonetization; GST; etc. At the end, the joint trade unions unanimously approved the proposal of participating in the nationwide strike. Ravi Shankar Singh proposed the vote of thanks.