ONGOLE: About 13,000 slate workers engaged in mining, loading and unloading operations in Markapur division have been striking work since May 7 demanding minimum wages.

The Markapur Slate Industry Workers' Union, affiliated to CITU, met Joint Collector Siddhartha Jain here on Wednesday and requested him to intervene and facilitate negotiations between striking workers and managements and help them arrive at an agreement.

Nearly 10,000 men and women, living in 52 villages in Markapur, Tharlupadu, Konakanamitla, Tripurantakam, Donakonda and Cumbum mandals of Prakasam district, eke out their livelihood as mine workers. They are paid Rs. 70 per day. Crane drivers are paid Rs. 50 a day and children Rs. 30. They do not have provident fund, ESI and other benefits.

17-hour work

About 3,000 persons are engaged as designed slate workers. They are paid wages of Rs. 64 to Rs. 74 a day as against the minimum wages of Rs. 120.

About 500 workers are engaged in loading and unloading operations. They work for 17 hours a day and paid only Rs. 50 as wages.

The managements have made wage agreement six years ago. As it expired, the unions have been demanding for fresh agreement with enhanced wages. But the managements flatly refused the proposal compelling the workers to go on strike.

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