ASTC unorganized workers threaten agitation

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<p>FROM OUR Special Correspondent <br />

Silchar, Aug 4: CITU affiliated All Cachar Unorganized Workers&rsquo; Union have served notice on the senior divisiol engineer, Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC), for staging two day protest demonstration in front of his office on August 7 and 8 in support of their 4 point charter of demands. It has been stated by the Union that as per its agitatiol programme approved by its executive committee, the protest demonstration is to ventilate the grievances of the workers against their being subjected to stresses and strains in discharging their responsibilities. The Union has time and again pressed for bilateral discussions on all related issues and also in connection with the service and service conditions.<br />

&nbsp;Besides, it has also focused on grievances of the workers in expectation of response from the magement. But, the hope has been belied by the indifference and apathetic attitude of the magement. The Union has even explored the possibility of tripartite forum for discussion. Quite disappointing, despite repeated arrangement of such meeting, the magement has not cared to attend or depute any authorized official to represent. Moreover, the magement has adopted dictatorial method of administration by imposing whimsical service conditions on workers. Besides, the magement has not taken positive action on renewal of services of 15 drivers well in advance of the expiry of their last order.<br />

The motive, alleges the Union, is to teach them a lesson for becoming members of a trade union which is most undemocratic and unconstitutiol. CITU is a well recognized organization with all India presence. Against this backdrop, the Union is constrained to go for agitation. The charter of demands include reinstatement of all retrenched workers ad drivers with immediate effect, payment of minimum wages with effect from January 4, 2016, immediate re-engagement of 15 drivers with arrear wages and updated accounts and account slips for workers who are members of contributory provident fund for which 12% of their salaries is deducted.<br />

&nbsp;Unorganized workers in different sectors are a great force, mostly affiliated to left oriented labour unions. From time to time, their protest rallies and programmes have attracted the attention of the media. The photograph attached is from the file which shows massive protest demonstration by unorganized building and other construction workers before the office of the Assistant Labour Commissioner here a few months ago.</p>