NATIONAL CONVENTION ON EQUAL WAGE FOR EQUAL WORK IN ENGLISH

NATIONAL CONVENTION ON EQUAL WAGE FOR EQUAL WORK IN HINDI

Electricity Employees’ Federation of India (EEFI) organized a National Convention on Equal Wage for Equal Work at Mavalankar Auditorium, New Delhi on 27th April, 2017. The Convention with participation over one thousand Workers, Employees and Engineers from almost all the States & Union territories of the country representing Central, State & Private Power utilities adopted a Resolution towards needful action on the part of the Government to ensure implementation of Supreme Court Judgment on Equal Wage for Equal Work.

Convention observed exploitation of workers in the name of Casual / Contract / Part Time engagement has crossed all limit at various establishments related to Generation, Transmission & Distribution of Electricity. National Grid has connected entire country to wheel power from and to various ends of the Country to render best possible services to People of India but exploitation of electricity workers of whom 70% are engaged on contract has lead the industrial relation in power sector to an explosive situation.

Electricity is in the concurrent list of the Constitution of India but ministry of Labour Government of India has left the Industrial relation of the Power Industry at the sweet will of the respective establishments.

Important development has emerged from the Apex Court Judgment on 26th October 2016 by Hon’ble Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar and Justice S A Bobde in the matter of Civil Appeal No. 213 of 2013 (State of Punjab & Others Vs. Jagjit Singh & Others). A Part is quoted “Any Act, of paying less wages, as compared to others similarly situate, constitutes an act of exploitative enslavement, emerging out of a domineering position. Undoubtedly, the action is oppressive, suppressive and coercive, as it compels involuntary subjugation.” In the light of above, The National Convention on Equal Wage for Equal Work resolved to urge Government of India to:

• Comply Apex Court Order to Stop Contractorisation of work of permanent/perennial nature.
• Ensure payment of Equal wages and benefits to the contract workers at the same rate as available to the regular workers of same industry/establishment till regularization of all the contract workers.
• Amend of Minimum Wages Act to ensure universal coverage irrespective of the schedules and fix statutory minimum wage at not less than Rs 18,000/- linked with cost price index.
• Remove all ceilings on payment and eligibility of Bonus, Provident Fund.
• Ensure Pension and social security for all with increase of the quantum of gratuity.
• Stop FDI in Railways, Insurance and Defense and disinvestment of PSUs.
• Put hold upon Anti-Labour Labour Laws Amendment.
• Ensure Electricity for all at affordable cost.

The Convention was inaugurated by Com. Tapan Sen, MP and General Secretary of CITU presided over by Com. K.O. Habeeb President, EEFI. The Resolution of the Convention was moved by P.N. Chowdhury General Secretary, EEFI All the forefront leaders of all National Federations of Electricity Workers, Employees, & Engineers, namely Shailendra Dubey (AIPEF), R K Sharma (AIPF) & G.K. Vaishnav (AIFOPDE) supported the Resoluton .Com S. Devroye invited all the participants to intensify the struggle. The Resolution was adopted unanimously.
A delegation of EEFI comprised of Com K O Habeeb, P N Chowdhury, S S Subrammanian and Subhas Lamba led by Tapan Sen, MP met the Secretary, Labour & Employment, Govt. of India. A memorandum addressed to Labour Minister was handed over with copy of the adopted resolution. Issued by EEFI CENTRE, NEW DELHI