CUDDALORE: NLC contract workers are planning to intensify their stir as the tripartite talks among the NLC management, Labour Department and the representatives of the contract workers held in Chennai on Monday failed.
The indefinite strike, which entered the seventh day, began on September 3. The workers demanded the management to regularise their jobs, pay a minimum salary of `25,000 per month along with 20 per cent bonus and housing facilities.
All the trade unions of NLC contract workers formed a Joint Action Council (JAC) to coordinate the protest.
The NLC management had moved the Madras High Court, which restrained the contract workers from continuing with their protest. However, the employees defied the court order and continued the agitation.
Under the circumstances, the AITUC planned an agitation at Mandharakuppam near Neyveli on Tuesday morning but police denied permission.
AITUC district secretary M Sekar said, “Citing the court order giving interim stay on the strike, police denied permission to the workers to hold the agitation. We would move the court against the stay. But, we do not know why the police were refusing to let us permission to protest. However, we plan to intensify it and hold it at the State-level.” All trade unions jointly condemned the NLC’s HR Department for what they called as unfair practices against the workers.
On Tuesday night, JAC representatives held a public meeting in Neyveli to explain to the workers about the talks held in Chennai and also to plan further course of action.
Meanwhile, trade unions of regular workers too held a consultation meeting to discuss the ways to extend support to the contract workers. CITU, AITUC, INTUC and BMS, expressed solidarity with the employees. VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan urged the NLC management to consider the demands of the workers and resolve the issue through talks. He said all the contract workers should be regularised.