file photo
file photo
Raigarh. Many guards of the plant used sticks and rods on the contract employees of Jindal Steel Plant. The contract employees were protesting for their demands, during which the contract employees were chased and beaten. The employees have accused the management and the contractor of exploitation. The management says that this matter is between the contractor and the employees. At present the police have arrested 4 security guards of the company.
an employee’s head exploded
The plant employees have been protesting since Wednesday. In this context, today the striking contract workers had created a 2 kilometer long jam from Azad Chowk in Patrapali. After the traffic came to a halt and the work of the plant was affected, the security guards of the plant arrived and assaulted them. An employee also suffered serious head injury.
Indifferent attitude of management
Angry contract workers say that for years neither the Jindal management nor the company’s contractors have been paying attention to their demands and safety. Because of this he was forced to come out on the road. Employees said that the company’s contractors are not paying salaries at the fixed rate even after working overtime. For this, letters and memorandums have been given to the management several times, but no action has been taken.
Allegations of negligence regarding security also
The workers allege that great carelessness is being taken regarding the safety of contract employees. Most of the contract laborers have not even been given shoes, helmets and safety jackets. In case of an accident, treatment is not even provided. Contractors misbehave with their employees and do not even pay them salaries on time.
Management said – the matter is between contractors and workers
General Manager of Employee Services, Shri Rai said that this matter is between contractors and contract workers. Jindal Steel and Power has been ensuring complete adherence to the set standards of governance and administration. Even at present, they are being provided better facilities as per the fixed rates. Hopefully the matter will be resolved as soon as possible.
What are the demands of the contract workers?
The striking contract workers said that they should be given a minimum wage of Rs 21,215. Their working hours should be 8 hours, with one day off in the week. There is a demand that salary should be increased at the rate of 4.8% annually. Post (designation) should be written in the ID card of all contract employees. Adequate safety equipment should be provided to contract workers. We have decided that we will not work until our demands are met. The police have registered a case of crime 578/23 under section 307 against the guards at Kotra Road police station.
