IMPHAL, September 2: Endorsing the nationwide general strike called by Indian National Trade Union today opposing anti-labour policies of the present Narendra Modi-led BJP Government, the Co-ordinating Body of Trade Unions, Manipur staged a sit-in protest at Electricity Department, Keishampat here today.
In a statement signed by chairman of Trade Union Manipur L Sotinkumar and convener Kshetrimayum Santa, the union said 84 associations, unions, federations including banks and government department of the State supported the general strike.
Shops and commercial establishments were functioning though various trade unions were holding protests at different parts of the state, it said.
The demands of Trade Unions, Manipur include declaration of Rs 15,000 minimum wages, to ensure pension and other social security benefits, to reduce price of all essential commodities, to ensure proper implementation of Trade Unions Laws, to complete construction and repairing of National Highways in Manipur, to regularize muster roll, contract and casual workers and pay wages as regular workers, to increase honorarium of scheme workers and also to ensure employment for all.
It may be mentioned that the demands of charter submitted to the Union Government has been backed by 11 trade unions including INTUC, AITUC, CITU, TUCC, UTUC, AICCTU, BMS, HMS, AIUTUC, SEWA, LPF and All India Federation of Banks, Insurance, Defence Railway, Central and State government`™s employees and other services establishment.
Meanwhile, the Manipur Electricity Employees`™ Union also joined the sit-in-protest at Electricity Department, Keishampat in condemnation of the anti-labour policies of the present NDA Government.
On the other hand, Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union (AWHU), Manipur also staged a sit-in protest at the Social Welfare Department.
The union also submitted a memorandum to the Commissioner of Social Welfare; Director of Social Welfare and General Secretary of All India Trade Union, Congress, New Delhi urging to fulfil its demands at the earliest.
The demands of AWHU comprise to enhance their additional honorarium (Incentives from Rs 100 and Rs 50 up to 2000 and 1000, to take up immediate action against the deduction amount in the name of LIC from AWH (Anganwadi Workers and Helpers) by the CDPO and supervisors of Manipur; to review the order of the retirement or removed the AWH from the post without any pension benefits of the 60 years AWH; to give pension on retirement and also to pay ex-gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh and 1 lakh; to issue uniform for the AWH and to increase the honorarium of the workers to Rs 16,000 and helpers to Rs 8,000.