IMPHAL, July 3: All India Trade Union Congress, Manipur will give full support to the indefinite cease work strike of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Labourer’s Welfare Association, which is starting from July 6. This was stated by AITUC, Manipur general secretary L Sotinkumar in a press conference today at Irawat Bhawan.
He also said that there are two group of labourers in the Sagaiprou depot: FCI and CAF & PD with the varying labour wages between the groups.
The wages of the FCI labour is pegged at Rs 7 per quantum for loading and unloading goods but for the CAF & PD, wages are only 76 paisa for the same load of work, he said.
The association had given a memorandum to the concerned minister, department and to the Chief Minister asking for a raise in the labour wages, following which assurances were given to look into the demands but there has been no action till date, he added.
He further said that the labourers will take up a sit in protest in front of Saingaiprou Depot gate and cautioned members against taking part in any loading and unloading activities from the depot.
“If found, the association and the AITUC, Manipur will take necessary action against the person,” he added.
Romendrajit Moirangcha, general secretary of the CAF & PD Labourer’s Welfare Association said despite a memorandum to the concerned minister on December 5, 2013, no action has been taken up.
The labourer’s association has demanded raise in the wages of loading and unloading of rice and sugar bags to Rs 2.80 from 70 paisa and for the payment to be made by the department and not through the contractors, he said.
The labourers should get one rest day and holidays as per rule of the government employees and if any accident happens during their work, the department should take further responsibility for the labourers, he said.
He also appealed for support from various civil organisations and the people.