RAMBAN December 25 (KNO) : One day convention of different unions of Chenab Valley Hydro Power Project Workers under the banner of CITU was held today at Ramban. Hundreds of construction workers attended the convention. The convention was presided over by Mukhtyar Ali, President of Swalakot Union. Among others, the convention was addressed by Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami State President CITU and MLA Kulgam. Different union representatives expressed their concern over various problems being faced by the workers.
While addressing the convention, Tarigami expressed serious concern over the plight of the working class who are adversely hit by the neo-liberal economic policies pursued by the Central and State Governments. These policies are drastically affecting the workforce especially working in the unorganized sector across the country including Jammu and Kashmir virtually reducing them to the status of bonded labour. He also expressed his serious concern over the anti-worker attitude of the management of the companies deployed in the execution of Hydro Power Projects, railway projects, road projects.
The continuation of neo-liberal economic policies of the Modi government coupled with demonetization and implementation of GST have serious ramifications on the lives and livelihood of the working class people. The onslaught of the BJP-led government on working class has to be fought unitedly and vigorously and urged upon the workers to unite and intensify the struggle to get their genuine demands fulfilled.
He stressed upon the present dispensation to strictly implement minimum wages so that these poor workers are entitled to social security benefits like EPF, ESI and gratuity. The workers are neglected and their long pending demands are not met.
Om Prakash, General Secretary CITU in his address said the social security benefits like pension, provident fund, health insurance etc. are hard won rights of the working class secured through decades of struggle. These gains are now being reversed through privatization of pension funds, provident funds and cuts in subsidies and welfare benefits and such measures being implemented across the country today specifically target the social security benefits in order to pass on the burden to the working people. Stressing for implementation of the basic labour laws in the State, he demanded implementation of Minimum Wages Act and fixation of statutory minimum wage of not less than Rs 18,000 per month. He demanded employment to local residents in the companies executing different construction projects in the state.
The convention adopted several resolutions which include the resolution on ‘Implementation of Labour Laws, Minimum Wages Act, simplifying the process of registration of workers and redressal of burning issues confronting working class.
Others who spoke on the occasion include Muzafar Wani, Jia Lal and Jagdesh Sharma leaders of CITU.(KNO)