KOCHI: The BPCL-Kochi Refinery Contractors Association has called a token strike on Wednesday, in protest against alleged assault of employees of a contract firm by office-bearers of the General Workers Congress (INTUC).
According to the Association, the employees were attacked at the site of the petrochemical project, where Simplex Infrastructures is engaged in piling and building works.
On being requested by the INTUC leaders to deploy their workers at the site, the contractor engaged 85 unskilled workers belonging to various trade unions including the INTUC. Later, a dispute arose when the contractor declined a demand by the INTUC to take 75 more unskilled workers, citing provisions of the Long Term Settlement.
Irked by the contractor’s response, about 40 INTUC workers led by leaders Thomas Kannadiyil (president), Paulson Peter (secretary) and P D Santhosh Kumar (treasurer) staged a blockade on Tuesday in the evening, preventing supervisors and other officers of the contractor from entering the site.
“The contractor reiterated his stance, and told the agitating leaders that only skilled workers could be taken at that moment. Infuriated, the union members started beating the officers including the resident construction manager. Those who suffered injuries have been admitted to the Tripunithura Government Taluk Hospital,” said a joint statement by Regional Contractors’ Association president K G Radhakrishnan and BPCL-Kochi Refinery Contractors’ Association president K K Ali.
“A Long Term Settlement (LTS) pact exists between the Contractors Association and various trade unions at BPCL-Kochi Refinery. As per the LTS, signed on February 9, contractors have the freedom to select skilled personnel and engage them for various works,” said the statement.