Andhra Pradesh - Ongole   

Salt workers launch agitation

Special Correspondent

Labour department officials accused of being indifferent to their problems

FOR FAIR DEAL: Salt workers staging a dharna near Prakasam Bhavan demanding minimum wages at Ongole on Friday.

ONGOLE: Some 1,000 salt workers working in five salt-producing firms in and around Kanaparthi village in Nagaluppalapadu mandal launched indefinite strike on Friday demanding minimum wage.

Salt workers union leader P. Hanumantha Rao said the government had fixed a minimum wage of Rs. 96 per day. But salt-producing firms have been paying only Rs. 60 to male workers and Rs. 40 to women workers for many years. Following an agitation, labour department officials conducted a survey and confirmed that salt workers are paid less than minimum wage in a report submitted to the district Collector five months ago.

Yet department officials did not take any steps to enforce the Minimum Wages Act for salt workers compelling them to take recourse to agitation, he said.

Salt workers, organized by Vyasaya Karmika Sangham and All India Democratic Women`s Association (AIDWA), came here to demand minimum wage. Labour department officials held talks with both salt workers union leaders and salt producers. But the latter agreed to increase the wage only by Rs. 5 a day for both men and women workers.

Memo submitted

Salt workers rejected the offer and went in a procession to Prakasam Bhavan. They submitted a memorandum to District Revenue Officer, B. Rama Rao saying that they would go on strike from today until their demand is met.

Mr. Rama Rao asked labour officials to intervene and resolve the issue. Salt producers agreed to come for talks on August 20.

Mr. Hanumantha Rao made it clear that salt workers would continue their strike until an amicable settlement was found to their problem.

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