Wage discrepancy: ONGC labourers announce cease-work

Agartala, Nov 12, 2024, By Our Correspondent

Hundreds of workers associated with ONGC’s explosion works in Baikhora under Santirbazar subdivision on Tuesday staged protests highlighting discrepancies in the wages. The workers claimed that they were supposed to get Rs 580 as daily wage as per the agreement but for the last forty days, the contractor is only paying them Rs 400 a day. More than 500 day-wage labourers have been assigned with the blasting operations of ONGC in the area, sources have said. The protestors threatened to cease-work and demanded a copy of the agreement they were compelled to sign before joining the work. “We have been initially promised a daily wage of  Rs 580 and a weekly day off. Yet, despite working for an extended period, we are receiving only Rs 400 per day. And the promised weekly off is not being granted,” a protestor said. Frustrated by these discrepancies, the workers launched a protest and called for a strike. The key demand of the workers was at payment of Rs 500 as daily wage.Notably, the BMS, which is known for working for labour rights, has been criticised by the labourers for its silence on the matter.Allegations surfaced against two union leaders who have been purportedly pocketing a significant portion of funds which was supposed to be paid to the labourers.Upon receiving news of the protest, police from the Baikhora station arrived at the spot and urged the workers to withdraw their strike. However, the workers stood adamant to their demands