Asiriyar Dr. K.Veeramani addresses the 4th State Conference of Dravidar Workers Union
The fourth state conference of Dravidar Workers Union (DWU) was held on May 20, 2023 at Tambaram, a suburban division of Chennai city. Vital resolutions were moved, adopted and unanimously passed as listed herebelow:
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1. Noble gesture
On 21st April 2023, an enactment draft Bill was passed in the Assembly of Tamil Nadu, ratifying the revised working hours for the employees, raising from 8 hours to 12 hours per day in case it is acceptable to all the workers in general. Leading political parties in Tamil Nadu as well as the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) movement requested the government to withdraw the Bill, since the revision would lead to several practical difficulties. Respectful Chief Minister M.K.Stalin complied with the unanimous requests and declared that the issue is kept in abeyance. He announced it in the centenary of May Day (1st May 2023). Hence, it is RESOLVED by the state conference to express hearty thanks to the Hon’ble Chief Minister for revoking the Bill.
2. Workers’ rights
During the conference held at Salem in 1944, when Justice Party was renamed as Dravidar Kazhagam, it was also resolved to strive and make all the workers partners in factories. That objective is yet to be fulfilled. Hence it is RESOLVED to revive the issue and to urge the Union and State governments to implement according to the resolution passed then.
3. Employees’ grievances
In Palani, Porundalaru, Palaru and some other towns in Dindigul district, the temporary workers employed since 2010 in Water Supply and Sewerage Board related jobs have been receiving only consolidated wages as Rs, 5,000/- or Rs. 4,000/- per month. Wages fixed by the government are not being paid. Cases related to the issue of job performance too are still pending at the Dindigul Labour Court. The authorities concerned have not redressed the grievance of workers. During the elections of 2021, the manifesto of the DMK had promised to make all the workers permanent employees; ESI and PF facilities for job security; regularising work system and working hour; placement for the heir of deceased workers; permanent job for workers disabled due to accidents. It is RESOLVED to urge the government of Tamil Nadu to keep all the above cited promises as per the 2021 election manifesto.
4. Enhancing working days
The funds allotted for the 100 days work scheme in rural areas has been reduced by the union government. This conference condemns it. it is RESOLVED to increase it as 150 days by urging the union government and it is also resolved to urge the government of Tamil Nadu to chalk out measures of relief for the welfare of those rural belt workers. It is further resolved to help workers get compensation in case they meet with accidents while on duty; to make male and female workers earn wages equally without any gender bias; and to enable workers above the age of 60 get retirement benefits. This fourth resolution comprises all the above cited labour welfare demands.
5. ESI Benefits
The maximum wage limit to avail of ESI benefits is at present Rs. 20,000/- per month for employees. Because of this ceiling most of the workers drawing above Rs. 20,000/- are unable to avail of ESI benefits. Hence it is RESOLVED to urge the government of Tamil Nadu to raise the wage limit as a measure of workers’ welfare.
6. Reservation in private sectors
The Dravidian Model government today in Tamil Nadu follows the footprints of yesteryear stalwarts Arignar Anna and Kalaignar Karunanidhi. Sustaining the same glory, the government of Tamil nadu headed by the Hon’ble Chief Minister M.K.Stalin could do another great favour to our people by helping them get reservations even in private sector jobs. It is RESOLVED to urge the government of Tamil Nadu to take necessary steps to achieve this objective too.
7. Jobs for the needy
Thousands of licensed electricians qualified to execute electricity connection and other related sundry works are badly in need of employment for their livelihood. At present the staff of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board employ electricians known to them to undertake the work of giving electricity connections to residences and commercial establishments. Qualified license holding electricians could be formally appointed for such tasks. It is hence RESOLVED to urge the government of Tamil Nadu to provide jobs to such needy people. Using electricians on contract basis by the TNEB staff must be prevented. It is also urged to resume power supply to commercial buildings for which it remains suspended for a long period.
8. Fixing revised wages
It is RESOLVED to urge the government of Tamil Nadu to revise the wages of private sector workers and fix it systematically once in three years regularly.
9. BHEL Workers’ problem
The principal employer Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) entrusts works to contractors who get their permit renewed every year and keep working. The rules adumbrated in CLR Act of 1970 is not being adhered to. The entire system needs streamlining and revamping. Workers who had been working for a long period are affected when suddenly their work is entrusted to contractors. It is RESOLVED to urge the union government to probe into this problem and plug all the loopholes in the entire system.
10. Unorganised sector workers
Government sector employees have been granted simple insurance schemes. The Tamil Nadu Construction and Unorganised Labour Welfare Board members also deserve comfortable and simple insurance plans like those offered to government organisation workers. It is hence RESOLVED to urge the government of Tamil Nadu to redress this particular grievance of the unorganised sector workers.
11. Job permanence
The workers of Water Supply and Sewerage Board in city corporation limits, municipalities and Panchayat zones have been struggling for a long period as temporary workers without job security. It is RESOLVED to urge the government of Tamil Nadu to make their jobs permanent as a measure of labour welfare.
12. Accessories for workers
Workers of unorganised sector establishments engaged in construction, gardening work, horticulture and agriculture work need useful accessories to carry out their work. The members of the labour welfare board related to unorganised sectors could be provided with raincoats, caps, spades, shovels and other tools that are essential for their work. It is RESOLVED to urge the government of Tamil Nadu to address all their grievances.
13. Agro products workers
Hudson Agro Products functioning at Karipatti village in Salem district has employed workers from the neighbouring villages in the vicinity, but they have not been provided with ESI and PF benefits for which the workers are legally entitled. Moreover, these workers are being treated badly as if they are bonded labourers. This conference condemns it. It is hereby RESOLVED to urge the Pollution Control Board and the Labour Welfare department to probe into this issue and initiate appropriate action against the management of Hudson Agro Products, Salem.
14. Medical insurance cards
For the employees who retired after 30-06-2015 from Tamil Nadu Transport Department offices and depots, the Dearness Allowance is being paid at the old rate of 119 per cent. This is to be set right and the arrears from 30-06-2015 are also to be paid. Vacancies are to be filled up. The heirs of the deceased workers must be offered jobs in the Transport Department or other departments. Medical insurance cards should also be issued to all the Transport Department workers. It is RESOLVED to urge the government of Tamil Nadu to solve all the above cited problems for the welfare of the workers.
15. Retirement Benefits
The employees of the Transport Department must be paid retirement benefits fully on the day of their retirement itself, on a par with the retiring workers of other government sector organisations and the TNEB. The 14th pay revision agreement has been accepted by most of the labour and trade unions but it is not fully implemented in the Tamil Nadu Transport Department offices. It is RESOLVED to urge the government of Tamil Nadu to probe into these problems and redress the grievance of the workers concerned.
16. Pending benefits
The workers of the Transport Department who retired after 01-11-2022 and those who opted for voluntary retirement have not yet received retirement benefits. This conference demands redressal. It is RESOLVED to urge the government of Tamil Nadu to initiate appropriate action.
17. Contract workers system
The employees appointed on contract basis could be made permanent after certain period of service. Besides, it would be better if contract basis placement system itself is totally abolished. It is RESOLVED to urge the government of Tamil Nadu and the union government to look into this and solve the problem.
18. Sundry grievances
i. people who gave up their residences and land for NLC India Ltd. (formerly Neyveli Lignite Corporation – NLC) need employment for livelihood.
ii. Candidates who have undergone ITI training need jobs.
iii. Contract basis workers need permanent jobs.
iv. GATE exam helps only North Indian students derive benefits to a great extent. This must be checked and set right.
v. Cuddalore district unemployed youth are badly in need of jobs. They must be given importance.
vi. Candidates with BE degrees and diploma holders in engineering need suitable jobs. They deserve priority.
vii. Wage revision should be done once in 3 years as against 5 years in the present system.
viii. A commission should be formed to fix wages of Public Sector workers.
It is RESOLVED to urge the State and the union governments to probe into all the 8 issues cited above and solve the problems.
19. Fishermen problems
Fishermen of Tamil Nadu are being tortured by Sri Lankan fishermen and the Coast Guard officers. It is RESOLVED to urge the union government to mitigate the sufferings of our fishermen. It is also resolved to urge the government of Tamil Nadu to probe into all the problems of our fishermen and redress their grievances by appropriate steps.
20. Safety of children
Many children die owing to tragic accidents during tours, travels and temple festivals. Parents’ negligence is the major cause. It is RESOLVED to urge all the parents, social activists and teachers to take care of children’s safety and make them involved in sports, exercises, swimming practice, etc. It is resolved to urge all the cadres of the DK movement to pay special attention to the safety of children.
21. EWS & NEET menace
The conference condemns NEET and EWS, both of which are harmful to the progress of our people in Tamil Nadu. It is RESOLVED to urge the State government of Tamil Nadu and the union government to take steps to end both the unwarranted menaces.
22. Factory trainees
Candidates who complete training in factories under National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) should be offered employment without delay. Workers placed under Fixed-Term Employment (FTE) scheme must be made permanent. It is RESOLVED to urge the State and the union government to probe into this particular issue and help the eligible factory employees.
23. Agriculture related laws
The union government framed certain laws related to agriculture. They are all harmful to the welfare of farmers. Hence the government of Tamil Nadu has rejected them outright. A resolution was also adopted by it. Similarly, new labour laws have been imposed by the union government. These laws would also badly affect the livelihood of our labour force. Our State must be exempted from all those harmful laws. It is RESOLVED to urge the government of Tamil Nadu to probe into this issue too and pass a resolution in the Assembly to reject these laws totally and persuade the union government to exempt us from them.
The conference ended when all the above cited resolutions were moved, adopted and unanimously passed.
