ITC contract workers will go on strike if demands are not addressed: JAC leaders

Contract workers at ITC PSPD Sarapaka unit in Kothagudem are preparing to go on strike over wage and medical benefit demands. The workers alleged that the latest wage agreement ignored their concerns and warned of intensified protests if issues remain unresolved

Kothagudem: Contract workers of ITC PSPD Sarapaka unit were preparing to go on strike in support of their demands.

It may be noted that the workers, under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of labour unions, have been staging protests for the past 41 days. On Tuesday, the JAC leaders handed over a reminder strike notice to the company’s HR department, asking it to respond to their pending issues.

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The protest on Tuesday turned violent as a worker was injured in a clash during the midnight hours at the ITC main gate, and police disrupted the protest. Following the incident, talks were held between the JAC, recognised union TNTUC and the management.

The talks continued until the early hours of Wednesday. The recognised union and the management were said to have asked the JAC leaders to give them three days to address the demands. The protesting workers wanted the management to ensure a minimum wage of Rs 22,000 per month and introduce a 100 per cent unlimited medical scheme for all employees.

JAC convener Pati Somi Reddy, co-conveners Sanikommu Ramachandra Reddy, MD Yakub, Aakini Sarveswara Rao and Ballem Nagaiah reminded that they had given a notice to the labour department on February 11 regarding the wage agreement and other issues.

However, the management and labour department officials unilaterally completed the 14th wage agreement without holding discussions with the JAC, but only with the recognised union.

The agreements failed to do justice to the workers and ignored their main demands. All workers would unite and go on strike if the demands were not addressed within the next three days, the JAC leaders said.

BRTU district president Sanikommu Shankar Reddy, Shramashakti Contract Workers Union president Kunduru Peddi Reddy and INTUC state leader Maram Venkateswara Reddy expressed their solidarity with the protesting workers.