#Kolkata: The movement has been going on for a long time. Success came only after the workers went on strike. On Friday, the contractor paid the workers two months’ arrears. According to the Calcutta University Situ-run contract workers’ union, the workers have been on strike for three months. 21 months left during lockdown. The university authorities paid more than Tk 1 crore to the contractor but the workers did not get it. The contractor embezzled the money.
‘The union workers started a continuous movement demanding fair wages. The memorandum was given to the authorities. But it did not help. Demonstrations were also held at the gates of the dilapidated building. After that, the organization called for an indefinite strike from last Wednesday. The cooking of the university hostels is closed. Cooking ends Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon. After that the authorities sat motionless. Assurance is given on Friday with two months salary. The strike was called off on behalf of the organization. The union was able to collect two months’ salary on Friday. However, the union demanded that the workers pay one more month’s arrears.
In addition, 21 months of lockdown salary is still outstanding. 3 retrenched workers are yet to be re-employed. The acquisition of PF rights is still pending. That demand must be met quickly. Otherwise the workers will be forced to go for movement again. Soumjit Rajak, leader of the union and a member of Situ’s Kolkata district secretariat, said, “The proof is that the fight can be fought. If the fight is justified, if the ladder has the courage, if the union can be formed.
UJJAL ROY
News 18 Be the first to read breaking news in Bengali. There are daily fresh news, live updates of the news. Read the most reliable Bangla news on News18 Bangla website.
Tags: Calcutta University