Scheme workers cease work, march to CM's Bungalow
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 17 2018:
In solidarity with the Nation-wide strike of scheme workers to demand workers' rights, Coordinating Body of Trade Union, Manipur launched a one-day cease work strike today.
It may be mentioned that scheme workers include those working in Anganwadi, mini-Anganwadis, Integrated Child Development Services Scheme, Mid-Day Meal Scheme, National Health Mission, National Rural Livelihoods Mission, National Child Labour Project, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Small Savings Schemes.
A large number of women scheme workers marched towards the Chief Minister's Bungalow to submit a memorandum demanding workers' rights.
They were stopped by security personnel from doing so.
Later a public meeting was held at GM Hall wherein L Sotinkumar, chairman of Coordinating Body of Trade Union, Manipur; convenor Ksh Santa; Y Ranapratap, general secretary of INTUC, Manipur and Kh Gyaneshwor, secretary of TUCC, Manipur attended as presidium members.
Addressing the gathering, Sotinkumar said that the Nation-wide strike followed the three-day mass protests staged by Central trade unions at Parliament Street, New Delhi from November 9 of last year against the anti-worker policies of the Government.
He claimed that there are more than 1 crore Central and State scheme workers including 27 lakh Anganwadi helpers and mini-Anganwadi workers under ICDS, 28 lakh Mid Day Meal workers under Mid Day Meal scheme and 10 lakh Asha workers under the National Health Mission of the Central Government.
He said that the scheme workers in the State have been rendering much-needed daily services for the people but the workers besides receiving low wages are yet to be given due recognition.
Mid Day Meal workers are getting an incentive of Rs 1000 only for 10 months for a year, he said.
According to the recommendations adopted by the 45th Indian Labour Conference, scheme workers should be recognised as workers (currently the scheme workers are considered as only volunteers), minimum wages of not less than Rs 18,000 per month and a social security, including monthly pension of not less than Rs 3,000 to all scheme workers, he elaborated.
Sotinkumar also pointed out that the scheme workers have been forced to suffer a lot on account of budget cuts by the Central Government.
The demands of the scheme workers also include social security guaranteed by EPF and ESI and adequate fund allocation in 2018-17 Union Budget for successful implementation of the schemes for the scheme workers.
Supporting the demands, All Manipur Mid-Day Meal Workers' Union submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister today.