Contract staff of powercom threaten stir on Aug 15-16

Ashok Kaura

Phagwara, August 13

The local unit of Powercom and Transco Contract Workers Union (Electricity Board) Punjab, led by its branch head Arshdeep Suman, today submitted a demand letter addressed to XEN Hardeep Kumar for forwarding it to the Chief Minister.

The letter warned that if the pending demands of powercom and contract workers are not met with immediately, a statewide protest will commence on August 15-16.

Talking to the media later, Arshdeep Suman outlined the union’s key demands. These include regularisation of CHB and contract workers, a minimum monthly salary of approximately Rs 30,000 in accordance with the Minimum Wages Act of 1948, compensation within two months in the event of an accident during duty, permanent jobs and pensions for family members, insurance coverage under ex-gratia in case of fatal accidents like electrocution, treatment in quality hospitals at government expenses instead of ESI, provision for training through ITI, immediate payment of mobile allowance and arrears, among others.

Suman stated that the letter includes a total of 18 demands. If these are not accepted immediately, all contract workers will stop work and stage protest on August 15-16.

Copies of the demand letter have also been sent to the Power Minister, Finance Minister, Labour Minister as well as the Chairman-cum-MD of PSPCL, Patiala and other senior officials. Also present on the occasion were senior vice-president of the union Maninder Singh Billa, vice-president Harvinder Singh, joint secretary Ashutosh Verma, treasurer Rajwan Khan, joint treasurer Arun Duggal, press secretary Sohan Lal and advisor Suresh Kumar, among others.