Chennai, Oct 26 (IANS) The 36-day strike by contract workers of Neyveli Lignite Corp (NLC) is set to continue despite the request to resume work by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Tuesday.
The trade unions requested Karunanidhi to urge the central government to take necessary action to help end the strike.
At a meeting with the striking unions, Karunanidhi cited the increase in daily wages by Rs.40, washing allowance by Rs.15 to Rs.25 and 8.33 percent bonus plus Rs.500 special payment while asking them to return to work.
The union leaders insisted that the company should revise the wages and absorb contract workers who have completed 10 years of service.
Karunanidhi promised to write to the central government but asked the unions to create a conducive atmosphere by resuming work.
The unions argued that withdrawing the strike based on assurance ‘without any concrete gains is a difficult proposition’.
The contract workers struck work Sep 19. But the contract workers union affiliated to the ruling DMK pulled out after signing a pact with the NLC. Other unions have continued their protest.
