Pics: Nayana J C
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Nov 3: Demanding the immediate reinstatement of four contract workers who were allegedly unfairly dismissed from service, the Nagarika Horata Samithi, Surathkal, in association with the CITU Dakshina Kannada District Committee and other supporting organisations, staged a protest march towards the HPCL entrance near the MRPL Cargo Gate on Tuesday, November 3.
The protest was organised to condemn the alleged anti-worker policies of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) management and its treatment of local contract workers. The protesters demanded the reinstatement of Sharanappa Bhajantri, Paravva Ganiger, Swarna Patil and Surekha Kollad, who were reportedly dismissed without prior notice despite having served at the facility for several years.
Addressing the protesters, CITU Karnataka state president Meenakshi Sundaram said that the future of contract workers was closely linked to the future of the country, as a significant section of the workforce depended on contractual employment. He expressed concern over the declining quality of employment and the growing insecurity among workers.
Questioning the implementation of labour laws, He said that making laws and ensuring their enforcement were two different things. Despite the government's claims of introducing new labour laws to protect workers, their provisions were not being effectively implemented, even in establishments under the control of the Central government.
He questioned why workers who had served for 15 to 18 years were not provided appointment letters and why those demanding their legitimate rights were instead being asked to leave. He also criticised the management's alleged proposal to divide the salary meant for one worker between two employees while expecting them to carry out the workload of two people.
Stating that the workers should at least be reinstated on humanitarian grounds, Meenakshi Sundaram warned that the agitation would be intensified if a solution was not reached.
CPI(M) Dakshina Kannada district secretary and Nagarika Horata Samithi leader Muneer Katipalla said that workers employed in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) were not bonded labourers and were entitled to their rights, dignity and legal protections.
He said the four women workers had been employed at the HPCL facility for several years, with their service ranging from 10 to 25 years. However, after completing their work on August 31, they were prevented from entering the premises when they reported for duty on September 1. Their access passes had reportedly been blocked, and they were informed by security personnel that their services had been terminated.
He pointed out that neither the company nor the contractor had directly communicated the termination to the workers. Describing the incident as an example of the management's high-handed attitude, he said that the workers had subsequently been staging a dharna and satyagraha for two months, seeking justice.
Muneer Katipalla further said that complaints had been submitted to the Central Labour Office, but the workers had received only assurances without any concrete action towards their reinstatement.
"We have come here setting aside our other responsibilities to stand in support of these workers. We will never tolerate injustice, particularly against those who have no voice. We will continue to fight to uphold the Constitution, the law and the rights of every citizen," he said.
DYFI Dakshina Kannada district president and advocate B M Bhat, CITU district leaders J. Balakrishna Shetty, Sukumar Poojary, Vasantha Achary, Yogish Achari and B K Imtiyaz, construction workers' organisation leaders Ravichandra Konchadi, Jayaram Kuttar and Shashidhar Shakthinagar, and CITU district leader K Yadav Shetty were present.
BEEDI Workers' Union leaders Padmavati Shetty and Jayanti B Shetty, along with Radha Mudabidri, Ramani Mudabidri, Vasantha Kuppebadavu, Vilasini Pramodhini, Janavadi Mahila Sanghatane district leaders Kiran Prabha, Pramila Shakthinagar and Ashwatha D'Souza, also participated in the protest.