CITU moves CM over NHPC bonus issue-GUWAHATI, Oct 21/10

CITU moves CM over NHPC bonus issue

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Oct 21 – The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Assam State Committee has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi drawing his attention to the reported denial of bonus to contractual workers of National Hydro-electric power Corporation (NHPC) at Gerukamukh.
In a statement, the CITU expressed resentment over the fact that despite there being an MoU between the NHPC Contractors’ Association and Subansiri Lower HE Project Contract Basis Workers Union under NHPC to provide bonus at the rate of 8.33 per cent, both the contractors association and the principle employer NHPC acted in utter violation of the signed agreement.

Pointing out that having exhausted all other avenues to persuade the NHPC management and the contractors’ association to honour the MoU, the workers had resorted to a peaceful demonstration on October 11, the CITU said that the NHPC management in league with the contractors’ association paid no heed to the legitimate grievances of the workers and instead started to indulge in oppressive tactics.

“Workers were subjected to brutal lath charge on October 19 resulting serious injuries to many workers necessitating their admission in hospital. A good number of workers were also arrested. We strongly condemn such wanton and unwarranted police repression on peaceful workers,” the CITU said.

The CITU urged the Chief Minister to intervene immediately and ensure that the NHPC management and the contractors honour the MoU, release the arrested workers unconditionally, and take necessary steps providing due compensation to the injured workers.