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| 700 Striking workers at Chenani-Nashri Tunnel ready to resume work | | |
Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 5: A large section of nearly 400 Company's employees and another 300 contract workforce who were intimidated to join and participate in a flash strike from October 26 at Leighton Welspun's Chenani-Nashri Tunnel Project, expressed their willingness to resume work immediately. Large number of workers and subcontractors employees made approaches to the Company and confirmed they did not want to continue striking work. They have signed a memorandum stating that they will resume work, provided they are given assurance of their personal safety on commencement of work due to ongoing threats being made against them.
Accordingly, the company has yesterday submitted a letter to the Divisional Commissioners' office and Police Authorities providing signatures about 700 workers who would like to return back to work. The company has said that these workers are keen to commence work, but remain in fear of continued threats to their personal safety and security.
In full support of the Company's stand, various local administration authorities held several discussions with the external faction's representatives in the last few days urging them to forthwith end the illegal strike call and direct the workers to resume work on the tunnel project.
Jim Salmon, Managing Director, Leighton Welspun Contractors Pvt. Ltd commented, "This illegal strike has given the project a major productivity setback and negative cost impact. Some equipment has been deliberately damaged and we are paying heavily for machinery and equipment that is lying idle. However, we are grateful that the local administration authorities and police have fully supported us and have taken the perpetrators to task, as per the due process of law. We have commenced production on Monday 4th November in the North Portal with about 220 workers and are hopeful that we will be able to start production in the South Portal Tuesday 5th November with our returning employees."
"Leighton is an international company and has implemented the highest level of work standards in Health Safety and Environment in India. Every Employee is made aware of safety regulations and the Company insists upon workers wearing their Personal Protection Equipment, including dust masks, while on duty. Environmentally, we ensure that there is proper lighting and ventilation in the tunnel where ventilation fans continuously maintain the prescribed air flow quality and dust is controlled with the use of water," he added.
It would be recalled that a section of the workers of Leighton Welspun went on flash illegal strike on October 26th 2013 demanding that the nine ex-employees whose employment was terminated should be reinstated. The nine were dismissed as they were instrumental in inciting violence; causing damage to company property and injuries to staff and workers earlier in the year. The matter was taken up according to the due process of Law and the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, gave a clear order on September 13 that the decision of Management to terminate their services was justified. Subsequent to this, the Tehsildar office and the Divisional Commissioner have also confirmed that the Ministry's order stands. Currently, the case is in the Sessions Court awaiting final disposition and therefore is sub-judice.
Leighton Welspun is committed to the local community and has undertaken local projects in the vicinity to benefit the community, including over 600 eye operations, constructing toilet facilities at secondary schools, providing running water to remote hamlets, supplying winter clothing to needy local children and other infrastructure. |
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