29th Mar 2017 10:03:PM State
Eastern Sentinel Arunachal News

ES Reporter

 

ITANAGAR, Mar 29:

 

As part of its ongoing indefinite protest against non-fulfillment of its 13-point charter of demands by the government, thousands of protestors under the umbrella of joint working committee of Arunachal Pradesh trade union (JWCAPTU) held a “mass thali” march on Wednesday.

 

Protestors banging utensils demonstrating objection over the government’s recent announcement to hike rupees 1000 in pay of Contingency and Casual workers, marched from tennis court, Indira Gandhi Park to the education department and back again.

 

Later towards the end, dejected protesters also tried to burn the effigy of Ziro MLA, Tage Taki protesting his recent remarks over the labour issue during the assembly session. However the government intervened and called for a meeting in the evening hours which the union accepted, outcome of which is yet to be known.

 

Terming the meagre pay increment as an injustice towards the working fraternity, Chairman, Changma Tajo said that government is trying to discourage the strike by offering few concessions evading the sentiments and patience of thousands of workers across the state, who have been demanding a fixed Rupees18000 equivalent with the workers of other states in the country.

 

“Our demands are not new, all the 13 points placed are decades old containing multiples issues of labour fraternity that needs to be resolved on priority basis to give an overhaul to working conditions of labour force,” said Tajo adding that despite submission of memorandums followed by series of agitations, state government has turned deaf ear towards the labour community.

Also condemning the objectionable remarks of MLA Tage Taki during the assembly session, Secretary, Kenkar Yomcha alleged Tage Taki for not keeping his promise to give utmost priority first to labour community, during his last election campaign.

 

“The unhealthy remarks by the concern MLA has deeply upset the sentiments of labour community and we will strongly raise the issue during the next election campaign,” he added while informing that if the government does not come out with a corrective decision against their demands within a stipulated time, they will organize a mass protest dharna at Jantar Mantar in the national capital next.

 

Further to mount more pressure, the trade union has resolved to continue their ‘thali march’ on Thursday too which will be followed by the 3-day hunger strike on April 11 next, if their demands were not met.

 

 Some of the long-pending demands of the employees includes, enhancement of wages of contingency worker from existing to Rs.18000 as per national level, regularization drive for workers who have completed 12 years and above, implementation of voluntarily retirement scheme (VRS) policy in all working departments like power, PHE, WRD etc, release of ad hoc bonus of Casual/Contingency workers for the year 2019-10 etc.

Trade unions from Assam along with officers from labour board Assam also participated in the rally and extended full support to the agitating trade union of Arunachal.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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