KARIMNAGAR/KHAMMAM/ ADILABAD: The indefinite strike by coal mine workers and employees of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) began on Thursday demanding the revival of Dependent Employment Scheme (DES).
The Day I of the strike saw mixed response from workers with an average of over 60 per cent of the workers staying away from work in the first shift in 16 open cast mines and 36 underground mines spread over six districts in Telangana. Workers affiliated to Telangana Boggugani Karmika Sangam turned up for work as usual.
According to official sources, around 40 per cent coal workers reported for their regular duties including 20 percent essential staff of Opencast and Under ground mines.
Meanwhile, Singareni Collieries company director (operations) Chandrasekhar Rao appealed to the employees to call off the strike and join duties. He reiterated that the company would commit to provide dependent jobs and discussions are going on with legal experts.
Employee unions stage protest
The employees unions and political parties, barring TRS, staged a dharna in front of Singareni head office in Kothagudem. Leaders demanded the company management to solve their problem without any further delay. In Karimnagar, a large number of cops were deployed at under ground mines and opencast mines.