Keonjhar: A year has passed since the labour department came out with a notification about minimum wages for mining workers and timely payment of wages t to them in Keonjhar district. However, mining firms do not abide by this notification, alleged Keonjhar Mines Field Workers’ Union.
Various labour outfits also expressed displeasure over underpayment of wages, pending dues and prolonged working hours.
Reports said, a notification to this effect was issued by the administration January 19, 2017. It stated that all labourers will be paid wages on the seventh day of every month while pending dues are to be cleared by 10th day of the month. The notification said unskilled workers are entitled to minimum wage of Rs 350 a day; semi-skilled workers Rs 437 and skilled workers Rs 523 and highly skilled workers will get Rs 610, they pointed out.
The central labour department has also put up information boards at various places about it.
Labour organisations alleged that the mining firms were not paying them minimum wages as fixed by the labour department while pending dues are not cleared in time.
In most cases, labourers are made to work for 10 hours instead of 8 hours daily and not allowed weekly leave.
Keonjhar Mines Field Workers’ Union said if the workers object to such illegal activities, mining companies and contractors warned them of laying them off or shifting them to distant places.
The union has demanded that the department take stern action against errant mining firms and contractors for violation of norms. It asked the authorities to ensure that that labouers get right wages and that too in time. PNN