Mathadi workers call off hunger strike

Mumbai, Oct 19 (UNI) The Mathadi workers of the Rashtriya Chemical Fertilizers (RCF) called off their hunger strike on the twelth day yesterday, after the unions reached an amicable settlement with the RCF management and the Central Railway Authorities.

The announcement was made by the President of All India Dock and Port Workers' Union, in an official statement here today.

The Mathadi workers of the RCF had gone on strike from October 8, following the repeated failure of the authorities to implement the Mathadi Act 1970, which envisages ''attendance allowance'' to an employee during the lay-off period.

According to the statement, the settlement was reached on October 18, following a meeting with the Labour Commissioner, the Chief General Manager of RCF, the Chairman of Railways Mathadi Board and the workers.

''The Labour Commissioner adviced the Chairman of Railways Mathadi Board, to implement the clause of rotation mentioned in the agreement reached between RCF, Transport and Dock Wokers Union, Mumbai, Maharashtra Rajya Mathadi Transport, General Kamgar Union and Railway Board on September 24, in the presence of Maharashtra's Principal Secretary (Labour),'' the statement said.

According to the said agreement, Mathadi Board was fully responsible to implement the Mathadi Act and schemes named under the Act, the statement added.

The Unions claim that 154 employees have not been given their salary for the past one year, and they have also been deprived of the ''attendance allowance'' by the management also.

UNI