Labourers are not related to Department: Director CAF & PD
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 26 2014 :
The labourers working at the Sangaipurou Godown of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution department are engaged by the contractors concerned, not by the department.
This was stated by M.Yaishkul Meitei, Director, CAF & PD in a statement today.
According to the statement, the term of the labourers expires with the end of contractor's period of work.
The Department does not recognize the organizations or unions of the labourers, it added.
Clarifying on the ongoing agitations by the labourers, the Director said the contractors personally engage the labourers from time to time, and the payment is also based on agreements between the contractors and the labourers.
Saying that the existing labourers at the Godown were engaged by the previous contractors whose term expired, the statement made it straight that it is upto the new contractor to decide on their further engagement.
The issue of pending payments is also not related to the Government department, it asserted.
The statement further said that the labour charge for the workers has also been hiked since August 1 last, following the clearance of the court case which hampered the process.
The new rate of labour charge is Rs.5.56 per quintal for unloading loads from a height of 10 filled bags, while it is Rs.6.74, if the height is of 16 filled bags.
The charge for unloading is Rs.7.83 per quintal, if the height is above 16 filled bags, the statement informed.
The loading charge is Rs.6.74 per quintal, the charge for weight measurement is Rs.2,78 per quintal and charge for making new bags by stitching is Rs.7.83 .
The labourers have been resorting to various forms of agitations including self-chaining on the flyover bridge, throwing of utensil items at the Minister quarter, and begging of alms.
Observing that such protests against the department are unfortunate, the statement of the Director said it is better to make efforts for an amicable settlement of the issue.