Trade Unions protests contract hiring
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 08 2011: A public meeting was held today at Keishampat Lairembi community hall where the speakers demanded both the State Government and the Government of India to stop recruitment to different posts on contract basis.

The public meeting was held under the aegis of the Coordinating Body of Trade Unions as a part of the country-wide protest movement which was aimed at urging the Government to address the plight of workers and labourers in the country.

The other demands raised through the countrywide protest movement were putting a stop to recruitment on contract basis, provision of equal wages and other benefits to both permanent and contract employees, amendment of the Minimum Wage Act and fixing the minimum wage at Rs 10,000 per month, increment of gratuity amount, provision of pension to all aged labourers, registration of all trade unions within 45 days and modification of the 87th and 98th resolutions of the International Labour Organisation.

Speaking at the public meeting, Coordinating Body of Trade Unions, Manipur convenor L Sotinkumar observed that whereas the State Government has been recruitment a number of employees to different posts on contract basis, these contract employees are not entitled to pension or job security.

These contract employees are given small monthly wages and they are not entitled to enjoy many fundamental rights of being a worker.

A large number of VDFs were recruited in Home Department on contract basis and they are given only Rs 3500 as monthly wage.

Co-convenor of the Union Kshetrimayum Shanta said that a board has been set up in the State for the welfare of workers but only construction workers are allowed to become members of the board.

Workers engaged in other sectors are not allowed to enrol in the board.

This is big flaw in the structure of the board, Shanta said.

He further called upon all workers and concerned citizens to exert pressure on the Labour Minister and Labour Department to allow enrolment of all kinds of workers in the workers' welfare board.

Addressing the gathering, Manipur University, Economics Associate Professor Chinglen Maisnam, quoting State and Centre leaders who reportedly stated that there was no paucity of fund in Manipur, questioned why the State Government has not been implementing 6th Central Pay in toto and why recruitment are being made on contract basis, if there is no paucity of fund.

The real issues for the people of Manipur at hand are the issue of price rice and sick financial condition of the State.

However, these issues have been hijacked by non-issues like economic blockade, Chinglen asserted.

The meeting demonstration was also attended by former Secretary of CPI Manipur Langol Iboyaima, CPI (M) Manipur Secretary Sarat Salam.

AITUC Manipur vice-president S Nilkamal, Meitram Shamu of Manipur Loumee Marup, Construction Workers Welfare Union Secretary Yumlembam Nolen and president of the All Manipur Democratic Women Association Yumnam Romola.

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