VISAKHAPATNAM: The working committee of Indian National Metal Workers' Federation has demanded that the Central Government take steps to strengthen the National Joint Committee for Steel Industry to safeguard the salary and other related aspects of the workers.

Wage committees

The meeting has decided to bring pressure on various organisations concerned for the purpose and wanted all public and private steel companies to become members of the committee and form wage committees wherever required.

A resolution to the effect was passed at the federation's working committee meeting held recently at Jamshedpur, according to federation general secretary Mantri Rajasekhar. The committee also wanted Tata Steel Plant to continue in the NJCS.

The working committee also demanded that a change be brought about in wage agreements by reducing the revision period from 10 years to five years.

DA neutralisation

Besides an early wage revision, it demanded 100 per cent DA neutralisation and narrowing down the difference between officers and workers.

Tax on perks opposed

The meeting opposed tax on quarters, water and power provided by the company stating it would result in workers paying tax ranging from Rs.1,000 to Rs.2,500 and they might be forced to vacate the quarters.

Even as it demanded that the ceiling on bonus be lifted, it sought payment of minimum bonus for loss-making units.

Another resolution demanded equal wages to contract labour on a par with regular employees for equal work and regularization of those working in critical and permanent areas.

The federation opposed iron ore export and wanted an immediate halt to it in view of the adverse affect on the indigenous steel industry.

It expressed the apprehension that continuation of the ore exports might lead to the Indian Steel industry facing severe problems in the next four to five decades.

Age relaxation

Demanding that those displaced by various industrial units be provided permanent employment, it urged that age relaxation be given to them for appointment.

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