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Title: Strike by the contract workers of Neyveli Lignite Corporation for redressal of their grievances.
SHRI C. KUPPUSAMI (MADRAS NORTH): Sir, Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) is engaged in mining of lignite and production of thermal power. There are about 16,000 contract workers working in NLC through various contractors. They are engaged in all the areas of work of NLC. Yet the pay and perks drawn by them are far below the permanent workers. They are at the mercy of the contractors and the role of NLC as the principal employer is very limited. This is not the case only with Neyveli Lignite Corporation; in fact, an almost identical situation is prevailing in all Central Public Sector Undertakings.
Even after working for several years, services of contract workers are not regularised. The demands of contract workers of NLC are regularization of their employment, provision of housing and medical facilities, transport allowance and bonus. It is highly unjustified that contract workers are not treated at par with the permanent workers in according them welfare measures, such as medical facilities. In view of the serious situation arising out of the recent strike by the contract workers of NLC, hon. Electricity Minister of Tamil Nadu has announced in the Assembly recently that the Government of Tamil Nadu has advised the NLC management to resolve the issue amicably. Hence, I urge upon the Minister of Coal to intervene in the matter and direct the NLC Management to look into the genuine demands and grievances of the contract workers and take necessary steps to resolve their grievances.
SHRI RUPCHAND PAL (HOOGHLY): Sir, since the Standing Committee on Labour has thoroughly examined the Bill pertaining to the welfare of the workforce in the unorganized sector, millions of our people belonging to this sector, who constitute more than 98 per cent of the total workforce in the country, have been eagerly waiting for this very important Bill to be passed.
The second phase of the Budget Session is scheduled to end on May 9, if not earlier. I would urge upon the Government to see to it that the Bill, as modified on the basis of unanimous recommendation of the concerned Standing Committee, be brought before this House for discussion, and consideration and passing.
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Basu Deb Acharia associates.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: You associate with him.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA (BANKURA): Sir, this is a very important issue concerning 37 crore workers under unorganized sector. The Standing Committee has unanimously redrafted the Bill and their Report was submitted in the month of December. We demand that in this Session, the Government should bring the Bill and we pass it in the current Session of Parliament. … (Interruptions) We want to bring it to the notice of the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs that this is a very important Bill. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Acharia, you know this thing very well. You are here for 30 years and you know that this is not done.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Basu Deb Acharia and Shri Prabodh Panda associate on this matter. Those Members who wish to associate, may send slips.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Braja Kishore Tripathy, Shri A.V. Bellarmin and Shri Mohan Rawale associate themselves on this issue.
श्री मोहन सिंह (देवरिया) : महोदय, मैं बहुत दुख और चिन्ता के साथ कहना चाहता हूँ।…( व्यवधान)
SHRI S.K. KHARVENTHAN (PALANI): Sir, I have also given a notice to raise a very important matter. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I will call you. If you disturb the proceedings, I will not call you.
Shri Mohan Singh.