Bharatiya Jute Mazdoor Sangh has given a call for indefinite strike in all jute mills of West Bengal from November 30 to press upon various long pending demands of jute workers and abnormal price rise on essential commodities. BMS appealed to the workers to remain on strike stoutly till their demands are fully settled and not to accept any peace meal settlement.
“Jute employers are continuously exploiting workers with the active and open help from the left front Government of West Bengal and the UPA Government at the Centre. In spite of repeated annual strikes in the industry, wage and non payment of DA for 894 consumer price Index numbers @ 1.90 per point amounting to Rs.1198.00 per month per worker and other exploitations have became daily routine. Since, the communist government came to power in West Bengal in 1977, workers have to go on strike for more than 10 times on their statutory demands. About 40,000 retired workers have not been paid their gratuity for more than 5 to 10 years. The government is amending the laws like ID Act 2007 and Contract Workers Act, claiming penal provisions for violators but employers are continuing violations of laws. Almost all 17 Labour laws in WB are being violated,” said Shri Baijnath Rai, national secretary of BMS in a statement issued from Kolkata.
(FOC)
