The President of 108/102 contractor workers union Mr. Puran Chand today resigned from the top position after failing to concede the demand after repeated attempt of strike. In a press statement issued today Mr. Chand said that he could not provide justice to the hundreds of 108 and 102 workers who are exploited by the GVK-EMRI company running the services for public in the state.
He said that 35 workers have been fired out by the company despite seeking assurance from the Chief Minister Mr. Virbhadra Singh and erstwhile chief Secretary Mr. P. Mitra.
The State Government has taken U-turn on the assurance given to protesting 108 workers as they lodged protest in the month of May and Jan this year but now neither the State Government nor the company implemented the conciliation taken by the two parties.
We decided to withdraw the protest as the State Government agreed to most of their demand but now the company continues to give upper hand and it is taking work against the prescribed norms. The dispute emerged again between two parties as on Jun 16 as Himachal Pradesh High Court had restrained H.P. 108 and 102, Contract Workers Union, Shimla from going on strike. The Court directed Deputy Commissioner concerned to convey order to the Union.
The High Court also issued notice to the Union. Today during the hearing of petition, it was informed by the petitioner to court that members of the above said union have threatened to go on strike. The court has already directed to provide protection to the petitioner i.e. GVK Emergency Management & Research Institute.
A Division Bench comprising the Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Sandeep Sharma passed these orders on a writ petition filed by GVK Emergency Management & Research Institute. Now the court would here the party on Jul 4, 2016.
The workers alleged that they had been forced to work from 12 hours to 24 hours. According to the job condition it is necessary for the workers to take break from the duty after four days hour weekly off is hardly given after fortnight on regular duty.
Workers have been given court arrest after violating section 144 at the Second point on the mall road after the deadlock failed despite the government resolved the issue and ending the protest in month of May.
